Bio

Ron Scott Shamburger was born on November 11, 1971. He grew up in Longview, Texas. Shamburger was known as a quiet and reserved child. He found comfort in his family and church activities. He was a Boy Scout and reached the rank of Eagle Scout, showing dedication to his goals.

As he grew older, Shamburger began attending school and made friends. He was a bright student and enjoyed science. He later attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. At the university, he studied biomedical science and was looking forward to a future in healthcare. He also participated in Bible study classes and was interested in becoming a minister.

During his time in college, Shamburger's life changed. He became increasingly involved in petty theft and burglaries. Reports indicate that he felt an adrenaline rush from these activities. He started stealing credit cards and money but had no prior criminal record before these actions.

Shamburger often struggled with feelings of despair as he fell deeper into his criminal behavior. At one point, he called his mother and expressed that he felt like he was about to lose control. Despite these troubling signs, he continued down a path that led to serious consequences.

By the fall of 1994, Shamburger was in his fifth year at Texas A&M. He had encountered Lori Baker, a fellow student, in the past and they shared some mutual acquaintances. However, their relationship was not very close, and Lori was reportedly not interested in dating him. His obsession with her grew, and he started to see her home as a target.

Murder Story

On September 30, 1994, Ron Scott Shamburger broke into the home of Lori A. Baker. He used a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, gas can, and duct tape for his crime. After entering through a window, he found Lori asleep in her bedroom. When she woke and recognized him, he bound her hands with duct tape.

At the same time, Lori's roommate, Victoria Kohler, returned home. Hearing Victoria's entrance, Shamburger shot Lori in the head. He then attacked Victoria, throwing her to the ground and binding her as well. He questioned her about various personal details while holding her at gunpoint. After a tense exchange, he placed her in the trunk of her car and drove around for a bit before abandoning her vehicle nearby.

Shamburger then returned to Lori's house, where he attempted to find the bullet from the gunshot. He used a knife to dig at Lori’s head but failed to locate it. In an effort to cover up his actions, he poured gasoline over her body and the room before setting it ablaze. The fire soon spread and led to an explosion.

Shamburger was then seen pacing around outside, holding a gun and repeating, "She's dead." Nearby, Lori's brother heard the explosion and tried to rescue her. Meanwhile, Victoria emerged from the trunk of her car and sought help from a nearby house, asking them to call 911.

Later, Shamburger contacted a minister. He confessed to his crime and agreed to turn himself in to the police. However, when they arrived, officers were busy with the aftermath of the fire, and he waited in the lobby. While he was waiting, he started flicking bullets onto the floor, which drew the officers’ attention. He was ultimately arrested and confessed to the murder of Lori Baker.

Shamburger was charged with capital murder and was found guilty. In October 1995, he was sentenced to death. After years of appeals, he was executed by lethal injection on September 18, 2002. His final meal included nachos, tacos, and chili cheese. Before his death, he offered apologies to the victims' family and quoted the Bible.