An alleged argument over a suspected theft resulted in a shooting in Alderson last week that claimed two lives.
According to a press release from Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan, on Thursday, June 22, the shooting occurred on Snake Run Road near Blue Sulphur Springs.
Erica Dawn Martin, 25, of Alderson, was shot, and died at the scene, and Robert Lee Flook, 32, of Rupert, was shot and flown to Charleston Area Medical Center. The shooter, Joe Aaron Baker, 61, of Alderson, allegedly then shot himself and died at the scene.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:08 p.m., Sloan said in the press release. Sloan said the subsequent investigation revealed that Martin and Flook arrived by vehicle at a residence located on Snake Run Road. Upon their arrival, Baker was performing yard work at that residence.
Martin and Flook exited their vehicle, and Baker approached Flook and “engaged in verbal conversation with him regarding his belief that Flook and Martin were responsible for a recent theft at his nearby residence,” the press release said. Sloan said a “verbal altercation” ensued between Flook and Baker.
According to the press release, Baker subsequently presented a handgun and fired the weapon at Flook, who received two non-fatal gunshot wounds. Baker then fired the weapon at Martin, striking her three times, killing her.
Baker subsequently succumbed to injuries at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sloan said.
