Randall Kraig Baker Jr., 21

Sept. 29, 2010, 12:03 p.m.

Randall Baker Jr., a 21-year-old black man, was stabbed to death Thursday, Sept. 23, near Rosecrans and Inglewood avenues in Hawthorne, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Baker was driving and stopped at an intersection about 2:15 a.m., said Lt. Dave Coleman.

He got out of his vehicle and approached another car stopped at the intersection, Coleman said. Words were exchanged between Baker and the suspects in the case, who stabbed Baker, Coleman said.

Baker was declared dead at the scene, Coleman said.

The suspects fled, and deputies are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- My-Thuan Tran

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27 reader comments

@the truth hurts imagine if you could correctly construct a proper sentence? Your words are invalid and immoral. They hold no substance. I was his girlfriend and that bed you speak of in which he crawls into was the same bed I shared with him for two years. For one, did you know him personally? Secondly, were you there to know exactly what happened? No. From the source that was present at this event says that they were being followed by the same suspects for more than 10 miles.. Induced by alcohol we make poor decisions, Randal's mistake was getting out of the car to confront those who were making him feel uneasy. So being the individual that he was, he got out of the car. Being the boys that they were, they decided to end his life. Randal didn't have a weapon, he didn't need one because he was a man! So before passing judgment on another human being take a moment to realize that it could've been you or a friend/family member of yours. I pray that God doesn't judge you as harshly as you tried to judge Randal. Peace be with you.

— Stephanie Nov. 6, 2014 at 6:43 a.m.

Im sittin here on my computer because I cant stop thinkin about Randal. All I have are good memories of him. He wasnt an idiot, he just made a fatal mistake. I wish he were here. As I read all of your comments, it brought tears to my eyes. Some of anger and some of sadness. Randal was my boyfriend before he past and to have read some of the things said on here hurts beyond any measure. The pain and agony I endure are on the daily basis. Imagine losin the one you said you loved everyday. Imagine those warm hugs that you cant receive any more. Imagine life without the one you said youd spend the rest of your life with. Its tough. I love Randal and I always will. To those who didn't know him understand this, he was an incredible individual. He loved hard, encouraged, was driven, goal oriented, intelligent and compassionate. He made you smile even if you didnt think there was anything to smile about. He always extended his hands if he could help. The best times I had in my life were with Randal. Now all I have are these memories. I pray everyday that his family, friends and I become stronger at this weak moment. RIP Randal Kraig Baker Jr., I love you and miss you dreadfully.

— Stephanie Nov. 30, 2010 at 12:17 a.m.

Who here is over 21? Who here has made a bad mistake at some point in their life? Can you think of a large number of things you thought were important when you were 21 that you do not think are important now? If you answered yes to the first question, you're not telling the truth if you answered no to the next two. At that age hormones are still being brought under control and you are still figuring out who you are and what really matters. He was a good guy who made a bad mistake. Unfortunately he can't fix it or let time fix it. Before you go judging him, remember that he has a family that misses him and that we are blessed with our loves and are still able to work on fixing our mistakes. Take this time to think about how you can fix things before you lose your chance because, I'm sure he would tell you to really think about what's truly important. Also remember that there isn't a hierarchy of sins. We make them up to feel better about ourselves and to downplay our wrongs. So don't get into judging him and deciding where his final destination is. He only wanted to have a voice, matter, be strong, show what he believed was important, etc. Don't we all? Again our only honest answer is a yes.

— Anon. Nov. 3, 2010 at 10:15 p.m.

siscom3.yes we grow and mature,make wiser decisions.im not saying whos right or wrong,but jus stating that most people have wished they have confronted a boss at work or coworker,a spouse or whatever.i walked away 12 yrs ago and ended up being shot 6 time ifrom the bacc,flatlined 3times and wok up from a coma paralyzed(by GODS grace the paralysis was temporary)now if i wouldve faught i may hv still been shot by them,but i wish at times i did.i wake up in pain still,and when its cold damn!!!!my point is sometimes some situations push us to do things.we dont kno for how many lights they argued bacc and forth,if they knew each other from somewhere else.but i do respect ur comment bcuz we can agree to disagree,but i think we can always land on common ground.thanks and much respect to u.

— boondoccsaint Oct. 8, 2010 at 4:21 p.m.

This is crazy no one knows what really happen that night. If he got out or if he had stayed in the car it could has went both ways what if it was a gun and the people who took his life would have just open fire what would you have to say then I THINK ALL THAT WOULD BE SAID IS SORRY FOR THE LOSS.I think street smart has nothing to do with anything it have to do with people thinking they have to power to take someone else life. AND THAT NIGHT IF IT WAS NOT MR.BAKER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMEONE ELSE. I’m not here to judge or point finger just think would your family like to here people saying things about you and don’t know anything about you don’t believe every thing you here.

And know one knows what really happen but the people who are involved.

— REALLY Oct. 8, 2010 at 1:03 p.m.

It seems like some of you are blaming the victim for being killed. It may not have been smart to confront someone on the street like that, but it does not warrant anyone calling him an "idiot". He is dead and his family is greiving and this is painful for them. He may have not even thought of the danger or maybe because he had others in his car he felt it would not escalate to that degree. Whatever it was that motivated his confrontation he certainly did not deserve to die. That stretch of Hawthorne is not known for violence so it is surprising it went down that way. Also, he may not have known that the people he confronted were animals and would kill him over whatever they were argueing over. Peace to his loved ones and shame on the ones being cruel and calling names. It must be scary living in a glass house.

— TrumpTight Oct. 6, 2010 at 9:47 a.m.

We live in LA.. DON'T YOU KNOW THAT? What idiot would get of of their car to confront a guy about somthing petty? ROAD RAGE IS REAL....I ALWAYS ASSUME THAT THE GUY GOIN OFF ON ME HAS A GUN..AND WILL SHOOT ME AND WILL DRIVE OFF INTO THE NIGHT AND WILL NEVER BE seen again From what I heard mr baker had a good head on his shoulders..he was a hard workin man and he was doing good in life....why be a dumb idiot and throw all that away?? Let things go...if sombody cut you off while drivng just let it go...if you cut smobody off and they follow u...drive to an area where lots of people are at or by a police station.... to get out of your car in the middle of the day let alone the dead of night is stupid and it will get you killed. He made a bad choice to throw down in an act of road rage with guys who had weapons tucked...and all he got was a sheet on him when he was laying in the street dead on rosecrans...that's too bad...like dave chapelle said..." he was keeping it real"

— 562vert Sept. 29, 2010 at 3:28 p.m.