Early this morning at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Salem Police Department responded to the area of Ward Street and Springfield Avenue in reference to a report of shots fired.
While the officers were headed to the area, 911 Communications provided them with a description of a vehicle that was spotted leaving the area where the gunshots were reported. While traveling east on East Main Street, officers observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car heading west.
The officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and identified the male driver as Blake M. Baba, 23, of Salem.
Baba was found to be in possession of a semi-automatic handgun and after further investigation he was arrested by Salem Police Officers at approximately 1:30 a.m. Baba has been charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in a Street in a Public Place, Discharging of a Firearm as to Create the Risk of Injury, Possession of a Concealed Weapon while Intoxicated and Discharging a Firearm within the City Limits
Baba is currently being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond. No one was injured during the entire incident and the investigation is ongoing.