Walker, 19, was shot point blank just after 9 p.m. in the 400 block of East Avenue. Candles and plush animals adorned the site where he died within hours. The memorial has grown to include even more candles, a large wooden cross, flowers and sidewalk art.
MORE: Attorney defending West Chester homicide suspect: Police ‘interrogated him’ for hours
Hamilton Police Chief Craig Bucheit said an arrest was made despite lack of cooperation from some in the city.
“I want to acknowledge and commend the tremendous work of our officers that led to this arrest despite frustrating levels of cooperation and even outright efforts to destroy evidence by people in the neighborhood,” Bucheit said.
“I hope this arrest brings closure to a grieving family and to a string of violence that has gone on far too long.”
The teen is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in county juvenile court by Judge Ronald Craft
Multiple people called 911 to report the shooting, and one also told dispatchers the young man’s name was as he lay bleeding on the sidewalk.
MORE: A grieving Hamilton mother is planning fundraiser to help another shooting victim’s family
Crews were called to the 400 block of East Avenue and found Walker. He was beyond medical help at that time, according to police.
An East Avenue resident’s security cameras captured the shooting on video. Two males on bicycles are seen in the video.
“They cornered him and were talking,” said James, who did not want his last name disclosed. “Then they pulled out a gun and shot him point black.”
The homicide is the second of 2019 in Hamilton. On Jan. 26, 18-year-old Londale Harvey was gunned down while getting into his car in the city’s Lindenwald neighborhood. Like Walker’s death, police say Harvey’s slaying was not a random act.
About the Author
