Mother of slain man got call to rush home

12/2/2006

Charlotte Butler was on her way home when she received a call to hurry because one of her sons heard a commotion down the street.

"I rushed in and it was over," she said yesterday, a day after her second-oldest son was shot and killed on Woodstock Avenue, where he lived with his parents.

Donnell Butler, 34, was found dead on the front porch of a house at 904 Woodstock. Hours later, the alleged shooter, Carlin Baucom, was arrested and charged with murder.

Baucom, 33, of 1512 Upton Ave. is being held in the Lucas County jail on $500,000 bond after arraignment in Toledo Municipal Court. He declined a request for an interview.

An autopsy showed Butler died of two gunshot wounds in the chest, said Dr. Cynthia Beisser, a Lucas County deputy coroner.

Police said 911 received a call Thursday afternoon reporting a person shot in the 900 block of Woodstock. Officers found Butler face down, holding a handgun, on the porch of 904 Woodstock.

A short time later, police learned Baucom was being treated at Toledo Hospital for a gunshot wound in his arm. He was taken there by private vehicle and treated before being questioned by police and arrested.

Capt. Ray Carroll said Baucom was in his car and saw Butler walking down the street. The two men knew each other, he said.

Baucom got out of his car, had an angry verbal exchange with Butler, and gunfire ensued, the captain said.

"We are not sure who fired first," the captain said.

A front window at 919 Woodstock was hit by a bullet. Baucom fled, and his car was found a short time later in the 1500 block of Upton.

Captain Carroll said the slaying remains under investigation, and the motive has not been determined.

Ms. Butler said her son was single and had six children: five sons, ages 4-12, and a 1-year-old daughter.

He was born and reared in Toledo, attended Start High School, and was unemployed because of a back injury. He was close to his three brothers and was the funniest member of the family, she said.

"He loved his children and had many, many friends. Everyone knew him," Ms. Butler said.

She said Baucom is dating the mother of Butler's oldest child. Ms. Butler said there may have been words between her son and the child's mother.

Ms. Butler said Baucom's arrest brings her some comfort.

"He's gonna pay for it, even if they hadn't caught him," she said. "I'm just sad my child had to be the one to leave."

Both men had served time in prison, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Baucom was most recently indicted on aggravated robbery in the May holdup of a Black Diamond Lawn Service worker who was robbed at gunpoint while fertilizing a yard in Springfield Township.

The case was dismissed in July in Lucas County Common Pleas Court because of concerns about evidence.

Butler served prison sentences for charges ranging from drug trafficking to aggravated assault.

Blade staff writer Mark Reiter contributed to this report.

Contact Christina Hall at: chall@theblade.com or 419-724-6007.