Lazarus Lamar Burns II received a four-year sentence on Monday for the fatal shooting of Jermaine Ray John Baker at a St. Paul bus stop, according to CBS News Minnesota. The violent episode, which occurred in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood last year, stemmed from Baker's alleged assault of Burns' girlfriend, who is also his ex-girlfriend. Burns, aged 31, reached a plea agreement in November, leading to the dismissal of charges including second-degree murder and the illegal possession of a firearm.
Court documents depict a harrowing scene in July 2023, when Baker reportedly exited a bus and initiated an aggressive confrontation, beating the woman until a witness described as "smashing her face in," as per details from 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. Burns retaliated by firing multiple shots at Baker, who tried to flee but collapsed in the street. This quick escalation of violence lasted only eight seconds from the point of attack to the fatal shots.
The woman involved, who had a visibly swollen face and several bumps on her head according to police, revealed that she had been in an on-again-off-again relationship with Baker for about four years, but recently started seeing Burns. "She added that Baker routinely assaulted her but she never reported it" stated 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS report on the attack at the bus stop and the aftermath.
In a statement obtained by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Burns said that he didn't previously know Baker, but witnessed him assault the woman while allegedly stating, "This my (expletive), bro." Burns claimed that upon seeing the attack, he "blacked out" and shot Baker. He also noted that he had a permit to carry a weapon from Wisconsin, contradicting the initial charges of possessing a pistol without a permit.
Burns started his sentence with a credit of 180 days already served, effectively reducing his time in prison.
