Man With Gun Shot by Police in Oxnard

A 29-year-old Oxnard man, apparently distraught over a relationship, was shot in the shoulder by police late Friday after he allegedly came toward officers with a loaded gun.

Christopher Baker was in stable condition Saturday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.

When he recovers, Baker will be jailed on suspicion of several felonies, including evading police and resisting arrest, police said.

“He apparently told his mom he was going to have police kill him or he was going to kill himself,” Police Sgt. Jim Seitz said Saturday.

About 10 p.m. Friday, Baker’s ex-girlfriend called authorities to report that Baker had been harassing her repeatedly since she ended their relationship several months ago, Seitz said.

The woman, whom police did not identify, said Baker had driven by her apartment in the 700 block of Ivywood Drive in Oxnard several days ago and fired a bullet into her front door while she was home.

When officers arrived, they found evidence of the gunshot and immediately issued the woman a restraining order against Baker, Seitz said.

Patrol officers citywide were alerted to the make and model of Baker’s car, a Mercury Sable, and his physical description. He was spotted minutes later, driving in the 900 block of South Ventura Road, Seitz said.

Officers tried to pull Baker over but he sped away, leading them on a short chase that ended in front of his ex-girlfriend’s home, Seitz said.

“During the pursuit, he was on a cell phone with his mom and told her how he felt,” Seitz said. “She was apparently able to hear all the sirens in the background.”

After the chase, Baker allegedly ignored police commands to surrender and walked toward the ex-girlfriend’s apartment, Seitz said. A police dog was dispatched and bit Baker on the arm, at which time he turned and allegedly pointed his gun at officers.

Authorities said Baker dropped his gun after an officer, who was not identified, fired two rounds, one of which struck him in the shoulder.

The officer was placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is under review, which is standard department policy. Police officials and the district attorney will investigate the shooting to determine if it was justified.

Baker was convicted in 1999 of possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 120 days in jail, court records indicate. Last year, he pleaded guilty to possessing drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.