Baron Li's life took a dramatic turn on the morning of July 10, 2020. As he made his way to his car outside his home in Washington, a gunman opened fire, leaving Li with multiple gunshot wounds. This incident would set in motion a long and arduous physical recovery process that would span months and leave a lasting mark on his life.

Unraveling the Truth Behind the Teenage Assassins

Initial Incident and Survival

Baron Li managed to survive the shooting, but the physical and emotional toll it took on him was immense. He was left with the daunting task of recovering from multiple gunshot wounds, a journey that would test his strength and resilience. The shooting not only caused him physical pain but also inflicted lasting trauma that would stay with him for a long time.

Even though the shooter was not immediately identified, authorities in Bellevue, Wash., worked tirelessly to uncover the truth. They eventually determined that the attack on Li, a father with a special needs son, was driven by a bitter custody dispute.

The details of the shooting and Li's subsequent struggle for recovery became the focus of intense media attention and public interest.

The Culprits and Their Motives

Police were able to track down the culprits through careful investigation. A surveillance truck was spotted near the scene for several hours on July 10. The truck was driven by 17-year-old Quincy Mendez, who acted as the getaway driver for his friend Joseph Good, also 17, who fired the shots at Li.

It was discovered that Good had been in contact with Shaerin Kelley, 30, Li's ex-wife and the mother of his then-6-year-old son Arik. Kelley had enlisted the two teens to carry out the crime, promising them payment.

The motive behind the crime was revealed to be a ploy to take over the valuable trust fund that Li had been given control of when he was granted custody of Arik. Due to a misdiagnosis at birth, Arik had significant physical and mental disabilities, and a trust fund had been established to cover his medical care costs.

Li's Struggle and Recovery

Li was nearly killed in the shooting, having been struck nine times. He underwent several surgeries and was in and out of consciousness for a long time. Even after surviving the attack, he required months of rehabilitation to regain his strength and mobility.

In total, Li was shot in the chest, legs, arms, and hip. It took him 15 months before he could return to his job at a Toyota dealership. His recovery was a long and difficult process, but he showed remarkable determination and perseverance.

Li's story became a symbol of the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Legal Proceedings and Sentences

In 2023, Kelley pleaded guilty to her role in the case and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Mendez pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was sentenced to more than eight years in a juvenile detention center. Good entered a guilty plea to an attempted murder charge and received over 12 years in prison.

The legal proceedings brought a measure of closure to the case, but the impact on Li and his family would last a lifetime.

The "Teenage Assassins" episode of People Magazine Investigates shed light on this tragic event, premiering Monday, Dec. 9, at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery and streaming on Max.