Man Wants to Shoot Soda Bottle, Shoots Man in Face Instead
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: December 6, 2012
The Baxter County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man believed to be responsible for the shooting death of a man in mid-November.
According to BCSO, 47-year-old Johnnie Carl Baker of Salesville was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after shooting 65-year-old Dennis Chapman, also of Salesville, in the face.
Baker reportedly told investigators that he threw a Pepsi bottle to Chapman and told him he was going to shoot it, but as Chapman was holding the bottle in his hand, the gun discharged on its own, and that he didn't recall having his finger on the trigger.
Although Baker claimed the shooting was accidental, BCSO investigators say the Marlin 30/30 lever action rifle is manufactured in a way that requires manual manipulation in order for it to fire.
Investigators say the level action rifle has an exposed hammer. In order for the weapon to fire, the action must be manually worked, or the exposed hammer must be deliberately pulled back into the cocked position prior to the trigger being pulled.
Baker was charged with second-degree murder and taken to the Baxter County Detention Center, where he is being held on $100,000 bond.
His first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 13.
According to BCSO, 47-year-old Johnnie Carl Baker of Salesville was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after shooting 65-year-old Dennis Chapman, also of Salesville, in the face.
Baker reportedly told investigators that he threw a Pepsi bottle to Chapman and told him he was going to shoot it, but as Chapman was holding the bottle in his hand, the gun discharged on its own, and that he didn't recall having his finger on the trigger.
Although Baker claimed the shooting was accidental, BCSO investigators say the Marlin 30/30 lever action rifle is manufactured in a way that requires manual manipulation in order for it to fire.
Investigators say the level action rifle has an exposed hammer. In order for the weapon to fire, the action must be manually worked, or the exposed hammer must be deliberately pulled back into the cocked position prior to the trigger being pulled.
Baker was charged with second-degree murder and taken to the Baxter County Detention Center, where he is being held on $100,000 bond.
His first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 13.
