Seymour police seek tips in murder case

SEYMOUR — The Seymour Police Department has asked the public to submit video or photographs prior to officers’ arrival at a deadly shooting Sunday in a parking lot on the city’s west side.

“We ask the public send us anything they have before any police got to the scene,” Chief Bill Abbott said Monday.

William E. Baker, 61, of Seymour faces a murder charge after police said he shot his brother-in-law Dustin Payne, 33, of Scipio once in the chest during a family dispute in the parking lot of JayC Food Store, 1181 W. Tipton St.

The shooting was reported to Seymour police at 5:57 p.m.

Payne was exchanging his children with his ex-wife when the incident occurred. Four children were present during the shooting.

Baker, who had arrived separately and was not involved with the exchange, and Payne began a verbal altercation, which escalated, police said.

Police are unsure how long the altercation took place before Baker shot Payne with a revolver. Baker was arrested at the scene.

Abbott said he did not know what caliber the gun was Monday, and he believed it was the only gun at the scene.

Payne was taken to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour before being airlifted to University of Louisville Hospital in critical condition, but he later died.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.