Argument over price of drugs allegedly led to man's homicide, unsealed charges show

Michael Baker, 24, was charged in December with two counts of murder in the death of Demetri Russell, 29, on Jan. 21, 2023. He also faces a charge of attempted dealing in a controlled substance and two firearm enhancements.

Russell allegedly went to a residence on the 500 block of Chase Street to purchase codeine and promethazine from Baker, which are mixed to make a drug known colloquially as lean, according to a probable-cause affidavit. 

Russell felt he was being overcharged for the drugs he was attempting to buy and the two began to argue. Russell punched Baker in the face and Baker purportedly pulled out his gun and shot Russell, according to the affidavit.

Russell was not armed when he was killed, witnesses told police, the affidavit said.

The death was ruled a homicide from two gunshot wounds to the torso, according to a report from the Lake County coroner's office. 

Cell phone records show Russell called Baker approximately 20 minutes before police were dispatched to the homicide scene. Both of their phones pinged off a cell tower near the Chase Street location at the time of the reported shooting, the affidavit said. 

Video surveillance from around the time of the shooting shows Russell and another man exit a white Dodge Charger outside the Chase Street location and enter a basement. Minutes later, Russell sprints out, collapses on the ground, picks himself up and drives off in the Charger, documents show. 

He arrived shortly after at Methodist Hospital and said he was shot by "my friend Mike," the affidavit said. He died a few hours later. 

Baker was arrested Friday, online court records indicate. He is being held without bail.