Man accused of shooting woman in the eye at Chico Safeway appears in court

CHICO, California — A Chico man was charged Wednesday by the Butte County District Attorney's Office for shooting an unarmed woman in the eye at a local Safeway store in Chico.

According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, 22-year-old Luke Baker of Chico was arraigned Wednesday in Butte County Superior Court in the Aug. 18 shooting death of 42-year-old Melissa Ebright of Chico at the Safeway on West Sacramento Avenue.

Ramsey said Baker was charged with attempted murder, assault and battery with a semi-automatic firearm, and aggravated assault.

Ramsey said Baker and his girlfriend approached Ebright outside the Safeway shortly after midnight. Baker and Ebright had reportedly been having an ongoing dispute over drug dealing when Ebright threw her bicycle at Baker's feet near the Safeway entrance. Baker then stepped forward, pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and shot Ebright in the left eye from less than five feet away before getting into his girlfriend's car and fleeing the scene. He left the girlfriend where she was found and spoke with the officers who responded to him.

Chico Police Officer Travis Voight was on patrol in the area when he heard the gunshot, saw the car flee the parking lot, and was able to quickly assist Ebright. Ebright was taken to Enloe Hospital and then flown by rescue helicopter to an out-of-county hospital where life-saving measures were administered.

According to medical personnel, Ebright suffered a traumatic brain injury. She also lost her entire left eye and the bones around her left eye were broken. She has bullet fragments lodged in her brain and has multiple skull fractures. She is currently in critical condition. Ramsey said that if Baker is convicted of the charges, he could face up to 34 years to life in prison for his crime. At his arraignment on Wednesday, the judge denied Baker bail.

Baker will return to court on August 28, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. to enter his plea.

Chico police are seeking additional witnesses to the shooting. If you know anything, please call 530-897-5820.