Randall Baker Jr., 21

randal sr.my prayers go out to u and ur family.there r no words i can even began to say that can eases the pain u must b feeling.this is a terrible lost.we've known each other 4 many years and have seen and been thru alot but this is something that we could never prepare for.just know u got a tru friend n me&my prayers go out for u and ur family...whatever u need,however u need it done...much love

This was a very unfortunate event. I wish his family peace while dealing with this. Take comfort in knowing Randall is in a much better, safer place.

May he Rest Eternally In Peace

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"

Cant Refute your statement one bit mr vert

I am so deeply sadden about this tragic lost of a human being, this was suck a butal,cold unnesesary death. I would also like to give my deepest sympathy to the his entire family, may God comfort and give you all peace in your hearts. Whom ever is responsible for this death will have to deal with our lord and savor.

@-562evert, that was a friend/family member of mine and until you have walked a mile in somebody elses shoes, you don't have the right to judge them. This young man was not an idiot. I resent you speaking about him like that and if you had been to his homegoing service the other day, you would know that you don't have any idea about what you are saying. This young man was an example and loved by many. You never know who's reading your comments. Show a little compassion.

@Dana-I feel for you and Randall's family-may God embrace you all and give you some peace and understanding. I agree with your post-some people forget that the family is grieving and sometime look here to hear some comforting words or to see a memory that will give them a moment to smile. I know what a sudden death of a love one is and it is a hard blow to take. So just stay in prayer and be there for each other- it will not be easy by any means, it will be a very sad and horrible time-But God will get you through it and if you all stay close and keep each other sane during this terrible time you will get through this . God's Blessings to you all

I know friends and family read the hr...I'm heading towards my fourth year as a reader and comment poster of the HR...I'm sorry he got killed but come on I'm turning 28 this week cause I have street smarts..and basic common sense..you can't go outside your car and throw down these days cause sombody will kill you....I don't need to walk anybody else's shoes but mine, I'm walking my own path in life thank you very much. So if he wasn't being dumb idiot that night what was he then by confronting two guys in the hood at 2am? It takes more of a man to walk away from situations like that than to get out of your car...it was a bad choice he made nuff said

while the victim might not have been an idiot, he sure made an idiotic decision.

i hope it serves as a lesson to all those who think their ego is more important that their life. your life is more precious. i wish this young man would have realized it before the situation became his loved ones defending his character on this website.
stay in your cars.

well as a young man growing up here in los angeles ive done plenty of things that can seem dumb to some.im older now and choose to think first.saying that, any reader thats a blac or brown male kno{this is not an excuse}that we have been conditioned by our surroundings to react in such a manner.im not saying whos right or wrong but im a realist living in this real life.id rather die on my feet than live on my knees.my prayers to all of u readers and commentors.he lost his life cuz he did not walk away,but how many times have u walked away and til this day wished u hadnt?

— boondocsaint ..... "but how many times have u walked away and til this day wished u hadnt?"

The people who walk away tend to live a long time. And I think after awhile, a person matures and realizes that there's nothing worth getting killed over.

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.

@ 562vert. How dare you call Randal a idiot. You dont know Randal or anything about him. I have been a friend to him since the 6th grade and he was far from a idiot. If you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all. Dont even comment. Why did you comment at all? and you're not turning 28 "because you got street smarts". You're turning 28 because God want you to see 28. Randal had street smarts and he was still called home. So maybe you need to think before you speak. You dont know Randal or anything about him.

at 2am on rosecrans i wouldnt get out my car to change a flat tire,let alone for confrontation...if he wasn't an idiot,he was drunk or high

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.

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.

ITsMee-

His actions speak alot louder than your words.

boondoccsaint, don't expect syscom3 to understand anything that goes in certain neighborhoods. He believes he has insight information of bad neighborhoods learned from a text book at a community college. He belittles the deceased and their families in this blog over and over again, specially, hispanics and blacks.

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.

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.

RIP Randal

ITsMee God didn't call him home he got himself killed don't blame god he didn't tell him to get out his car and come home what r you talking about

Stephanie just Imagine if what you said made good sense..Imagine if we all was rich...imagine if the sun don't shine anymore..Imagine if all little kids can grow up without being hurt..Imagine if randall pull a knife and they took it and stab him..Imagine if he scare the people and they had to protect themself..imagine if he went home got in the bed and called you his girlfrind??????????????????????????????

@the truth hurt.... what are you even talking about? I can imagine you not even commenting on this post!!!!!

YES, God did call him home, everything happens for a reason. Getting out of that car and walking up to another and stabbed, when it's your time it's your time period.