Karen Baker, 48, was killed on July 13, 2022, during an armed robbery at an ATM on University City Blvd in Charlotte. She was on her way to work and had pulled up to the machine at about 6 a.m. when a masked man identified as J’wuan Horton, then 24 and dressed in black, approached, robbed her, shot her and took her cash. Karen died at the scene.

Horton was arrested three months later and charged with murder and robbery. Court records show he pled guilty in 2024 to second-degree murder and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and received a prison term with a minimum of 317 months and a maximum of 393 months. Reports note Horton had been released from prison five months before the ATM robbery after serving time for an earlier armed robbery and breaking and entering.

Karen’s family and the community were described as shocked by this random act of violence. If anyone saw the robbery or has information about Karen’s movements that morning, please share what is known.