Las Vegas police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of a former college football player and his young son during a confrontation with officers in February. Quinton Baker, 28, a former running back for Portland State and Western Kentucky universities, was killed in a shootout with police. His 3-year-old son, Kentre, also died during the incident.
Initially, police stated that Baker had used his son as a human shield and fired the fatal shot that killed the child while attempting to evade officers. However, authorities have since acknowledged that they cannot definitively determine whether the fatal bullet that struck Kentre Baker came from police or from Baker himself.
Police were called to Baker's apartment following reports that he had attacked his girlfriend and the mother of his child, Raneka Pate, along with another woman. According to police, Baker had recently come out as gay to his girlfriend, which preceded the alleged assault.
Baker reportedly fled the apartment with his son, Kentre, in his arms, holding a gun to the toddler's chest. Bodycam footage released by the police shows Baker advancing toward officers while they ordered him to drop the weapon. During the standoff, Baker is heard saying, "I'm gonna shoot myself!"
Baker managed to fire four shots before officers returned fire. Both Baker and his son were pronounced dead at the scene. Pate has disputed the police account of the events and is reportedly considering a wrongful-death lawsuit.
Baker was a standout player in college, averaging 165 yards per game and earning Conference USA All-Freshman team honors. He was considered a three-star prospect and, at one point, ranked as the No. 21 all-purpose running back in the nation by 247Sports.