A Merrillville man is charged with killing a man during a fight over the price in an alleged drug deal, according to court records.
Michael D. Baker, 24, was charged Dec. 7 with two counts of murder and one count of attempted dealing in a schedule II controlled substance — i.e. codeine — in the Jan. 21, 2023 shooting death of Demetri Russell.
He is also facing two firearms enhancements, which would add more time to a sentence if convicted.
The case was unsealed Friday. The next court date is Feb. 13 before Judge Gina Jones.
Gary Police responded at 1:30 a.m. to the 500 block of Chase Street.
Russell told police at the hospital that “my friend Mike” shot him. He was pronounced dead from two shots to the torso just before 8 p.m.
Police learned Baker was selling him Codeine and Promethazine. They argued over a price, Russell punched Baker in the face twice. Baker took out a gun then shot him twice with a .45-caliber Glock and fled.
Baker was selling “4 lines” for $80 and Russell wanted to pay $60, according to the affidavit.
Police found a spent bullet casing in the basement apartment commons. Security footage showed Russell walking up to the building and Baker fleeing.
Cell phone records appear to show both men in the same place when the shooting happened.
