On December 14, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, 14-year-old Devin Baker was fatally shot in the early morning after a resident reported someone trying to open a window to her 8-year-old daughter’s bedroom. The resident, 25-year-old Aleah Wallace, told police she had called about an attempted burglary around 1:22 a.m.; officers responded, took a report, and left. Wallace says a short time later she reported a second intrusion and fired a recently acquired firearm, striking Baker. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Baker was an eighth-grade student at Rosemont Middle School. His mother, Latoiya Landers, described him as a fun-loving boy who did well in art and academics and had recently joined the basketball team. Wallace has said she had experienced multiple break-in attempts in preceding weeks and obtained the gun for protection. She has been evicted from subsidized housing over firearm possession and is cooperating with investigators; the case has been referred to a grand jury and Fort Worth police continue their investigation. No arrests have been announced.

If anyone knew Devin or has information about what happened that night, please share tips with the Fort Worth Police Department.