By Shavonne Potts
Salisbury Post
Salisbury Police charged a Salisbury man with murder Wednesday in the shooting death of Rico Amos Baker.
Michael Wayne Brooker Jr., 20, is in the Rowan County Detention Center without bond pending a first appearance in court. He was already in jail when police charged him.
According to detention center records, Brooker has been in the jail since April 16, a day after the shooting, for a probation violation, failure to appear in court, nonpayment of child support and resisting a police officer.
Baker, 23, of East Horah Street, was shot and killed outside a home at 520 E. Cemetery St. on April 15.
Paramedics tried to save Baker, but he died at the scene.
Salisbury Police Chief Mark Wilhelm said authorities were able to bring charges against Brooker after a witnesses came forward.
The Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers had offered a $1,000 reward for information about the suspect. Wilhelm said there were calls made to Crime Stoppers involving this case.
Police continue to investigate and ask anyone with additional information to call Crime Stoppers at 866-639-5245. The caller may remain anonymous and the call is free.
In March 2006, Brooker was convicted of fleeing to elude arrest and resisting a police officer. In August 2006, he was convicted of using profane language on the highway.
Brooker was charged with misdemeanor assault on a female in 2006, but the charge was dismissed by the court. He is scheduled to appear in court in June on a more recent charge of assault on a female.
Authorities charged Brooker in September 2006 with assault by pointing a gun and injury to real property. Both charges were dismissed.
In May 2007, he received deferred prosecution for a charge of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance. In the same month, prosecutors dismissed a charge of selling and delivering a Schedule II controlled substance.
Baker also had a criminal history.
In December 2002, Baker was convicted of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and assault with a deadly weapon. That same month, he was given probation for a lesser conviction of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. At the same time, Baker was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon.
In March 2004, Baker was convicted of assault inflicting serious bodily injury. He was convicted of misdemeanor assault on a female in November 2004 and served five months in state prison. In August 2004, he was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors dismissed the charge.
There was no probable cause found in a January 2005 case against Baker in which he was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.