Family Raising Money For Brother Of Budda Baker Killed In Seattle

SEATTLE, WA - The family of Robert Baker, brother of University of Washington football star Budda Baker, is trying to raise $5,000 to support the family he left behind. Baker, 29, was shot and killed last week in the Ballard neighborhood.

According to Seattle police, Robert Baker was shot once in the chest around 1:45 a.m. on April 22 along the 4900 block of 17th Avenue Northwest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests in the killing.

"Robert Baker, our beloved husband and father was taken from us with a violent crime," reads the GoFundMe fundraiser page. "Please help support our family during this difficult time and to help stay on our feet while we move forward from this tragedy. All funds raised will go towards supporting our family and the kids in his absence. Anything helps and we appreciate the love and support in advance. The goal set will ensure at least a few months assistance, anything over would just further support our family. God bless."

Robert Baker served seven years in prison for robbery, but he and Budda Baker stayed in touch during that time, according to Sports Illustrated. The magazine profiled the two brothers in 2016.

"For seven years the brothers exchanged handwritten notes full of updates from home and trash talk. They also spoke by phone most Thursdays while Robert was locked up for first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm, initially at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, Wash., then at Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt."

Both brothers were from Bellevue. Budda Baker was drafted in 2017 by the Arizona Cardinals and signed a four-year contract with the team last May.

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