LANCASTER – A 57-year-old man armed with a handgun and threatening suicide barricaded himself inside his Lancaster home for more than six-and-a-half hours before surrendering peacefully Monday morning, authorities said.
Kelly Baker surrendered around 6:15 a.m. Monday, May 25, and was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, elder abuse, and felon in possession of ammunition, according to Deputy Joshua Stamsek of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. A replica handgun was found at the residence, Stamsek said.
The incident began just before midnight on Sunday when deputies responded to a home on the 1100 block of West Avenue H-7 regarding a suicidal man armed with a handgun.
“Upon their arrival to the residence, deputies saw the suspect in the front yard armed with a handgun,” Stamsek stated. “The suspect refused to surrender himself and entered the residence.”
Deputies contained the immediate area and evacuated several neighboring houses for safety.
At one point, Baker exited the residence with his 83-year-old mother, but “refused to allow her to leave to safety,” according to Stamsek.
“Deputies fired beanbags (non-lethal weapon) at the suspect and struck him, but the suspect still refused to surrender himself,” Stamsek stated. “The suspect’s mother eventually was able to flee the location and was not injured.”
Baker then proceeded to barricade himself inside his residence, according to Stamsek. A special weapons team from the Special Enforcement Bureau was called to the scene and crisis negotiators began talking to the 57-year-old man.
“He finally surrendered peacefully… He told us he was despondent over his life and wanted to kill himself,” said Lt. Paul Pfrehm of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
Baker would undergo a medical evaluation, Pfrehm said.
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Ex AV resident says
Erik, from AV rocks post, I don’t believe its the same kelly baker, it was my same thoughts when I read it. I have known him for over 30 yes and he has worked on my bikes, and yes he is a VERY good and honest mechanic.
Sam says
You really can’t blame the poor guy. Living the Antelope Valley would make anyone suicidal.
leilani says
well if your not happy here in the a.v. you can go ahead and get your $hit and go somewhere else cause believe me no one is holding you back .but if your still here than you should shut your mouth your loser .
Paula says
moves out of the av. Best decision of my life. This place if [removed] garbage. Only have AV timesas a friend to see he danger my friends and family face.
Sad place that dumpy ass av. Smh
Sam says
I moved out years ago. I just like hearing from jerks like you that think the toilet otherwise know as the AV is the greatest place. Or maybe your broke and the AV is the best you can do.
William says
Where did you move to, Sam? We’ve seen the same comment from others but they never tell us where they went.
Don’t worry. We can’t find you. There must be many ‘Sams’ in every city and town in this country.
ERIK says
Does anyone know if this was the same Kelly Baker that worked on high performance motorcycles out at Willow Springs Raceway?
That guy was legend when it came to souping up Ducati motorcycles. Wasn’t bad on the track either….for a super big dude.
Kelly says
Nope It was not me
I’m younger than 57
Liz B says
Thank goodness uncle kiki I was just about,to,freak out
Summer says
So this is what kept me up all night. My daughter works late shift on one job. She got home and in bed at midnite then had to get up and to be at second job at 6 am She was NOT happy. I think after the first hour, she could have gone over and dragged this man out herself!!
However, I’m glad no one got hurt. There may be a lot of really grumpy sleep-deprived people running around town though.
h says
Thats horrible but good thing nothing happened
London says
This did not start around midnight it stared around 8pm. I live right next door to them
AV_Rick says
Actually, it didn’t start at 8pm either – This started in 2001 when he moved in with his mother – He’s suffered from mental issues and alcoholism for over a decade – If you live next door than you’re probably well aware that he spent most of his time sitting in his disabled truck drinking all night – His mother is one of the sweetest elderly ladies I’ve ever met and I’m glad and fortunate that she was able to get away, relatively unharmed from this incident – This is a prime example of the failure of both California and LA County’s system of treating mentally ill people; Kelly needs professional help, not outpatient care as it is obvious that his condition poses a danger to anyone in close proximity. Yet time and time again he was deemed mentally fit and able to care for himself, prescribed a number of anti-psychotic drugs and sent home with his 84 year old mother. That was the course of action and long term treatment program his doctor laid out, and as you can see it worked out great. Fortunately he didn’t put the heavy burden of ‘suicide by cop’ on any of the deputy personnel via his actions and this was resolved without incident. Now maybe his mother can live in peace and he will be placed in a facility where he can be supervised and treated for his mental illness as it obvious he cannot live independently nor should his 84 year old mother be designated as her sons official caregiver. This could of ended on a far more tragic note, and next time it will if the right action isn’t taken by the Doctors that are paid and entrusted to evaluate and treat the mentally ill population.
concerned niece says
Thank you for your very caring response. I am the niece and granddaughter of this incident. Yes, this has been an issue in our family and it started way before 2001. There are some deep seeded issues that my uncle has endured and we thought that he was getting the help he needed. However, as an alcoholic he needs to want the help. There have been a few tragedies that have occurred since 2002 which has sunk my uncle into a deeper depression. None of us thought that it would get this far, and yes the mental dept. should look further into ones situation instead of just handing out pills like candy. Sorry for those who were affected by this, but sometimes it takes an army to get someone help. For those of you who do not understand mental illness please educate yourselves because this can happen to anyone, including your family members.
read London says
She didn’t say it started around midnight. She said this is what kept her up. And if it started around 8 and lasted 6 1/2 hours she’s correct. Those situations get very loud. Glad everyone is ok.