Virginia murder suicide: Walter Gaines had criminal record before killing Shaquenda Walker, Deborah Walker
New reports detail the Virginia Courts documents which reveal that the murder suicide shooter, Walter Gaines III, had an extensive criminal record.
Gaines,23, had previously pled guilty to robbery and felony accessory after the fact charges and had several firearm charges.
The shooter murdered his girlfriend, Shaquenda Walker, 24, at the Oliver Crossing Apartments at 1329 Coalter Street Thursday, as well as her mother, Deborah Walker, 55, before turning the gun on himself.
Police Chief Alfred Durham and Mayor Levar Stoney were both on scene as Stoney expressed his sympathy for the children involved while emphasizing that the incident, while senseless, was not a random act.
Walker was the mother of two children, 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy, who were found unharmed at the scene and are now in child protective services. A cousin told WRIC that the children knocked on neighbors’ doors when their “mother and grandmother wouldn’t wake up.”
“This seems to be once again a senseless act, but something that’s not random. It seems very isolated, like some of the acts that happened in the past,” Stoney said. “Please continue to help the chief, if you know something, say something.”
Photo/CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS / @CSI?cafe via wikimedia commons
Police sources said that Gaines was expected for a court appearance in Henrico County Thursday. The bodies were discovered by family members who had intended to drive him to court.
Chief Durham discussed the crime in the city, three days in a row of violent crimes: “At some point, folks have to be tired of this. At some point, those folks creating crime have to stop and say, ‘Hey, when are we going to stop being stupid?’”
If you have any information about this or any other crimes taking place in the Richmond area contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or at http://www.7801000.com. Submit tips to GUN250 about persons illegally possessing guns by texting Crime Stoppers at 274637, then using keyword “GUN250” followed by your tip. Rewards up to $250. Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.
