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E-mailWoman shot in Beaver County improves 'dramatically'
Rick Wills is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-320-7944 or via e-mail.
The condition of a woman shot in the parking lot of a Beaver County strip mall has improved "dramatically," her lawyer said Friday.
Linda Baker was flown to UPMC Presbyterian hospital in critical condition Thursday after a man police identified as her estranged husband, Gregory Baker, 55, shot her and a friend in the East Rochester Shopping Plaza.
"Her condition has improved dramatically. She was taken off a ventilator and moved to a new room," said Dennis Blackwell, Baker's lawyer.
Thomas Dougherty, 48, of Monaca died from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest at Heritage Valley Hospital, said Beaver County Coroner Teri Tatalovich-Rossi.
Gregory Baker is being held without bond in the Beaver County Jail on charges of criminal homicide and related crimes. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday at the Beaver County Courthouse.
Dougherty did not have a romantic relationship with Linda Baker, Blackwell said. "They are just friends."
Linda and Greg Baker have been married for 21 years, and have two daughters and five grandchildren. She filed for divorce Monday and moved out of the couple's New Sewickley Township farm two weeks ago, Blackwell said.
"It's very emotional for both daughters," Blackwell said. "It looked yesterday as if their mother lay dying in the hospital, and their father is in jail."
The shooting saddened friends of the Bakers, who have lived in New Brighton for more than two decades.
"We have known them for 23 years. They were good people," said neighbor Robert Fleming. "This is a shock."
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