A Springfield Gardens community was still reeling this week from last Saturday’s triple-murder/suicide that also left a fourth victim fighting for her life.
According to police and published reports, Jonathon Walker, 34, shot to death his wife, Shantai Hale, 31; her mother, Viola Warren, 62; and his daughter, 7-year-old Kayla Walker, inside their 148th Avenue home early Saturday morning. Walker’s older daughter, Christina, 12, was also shot in the head like her family members, but managed to survive, even calling 911, telling the operator that her father was the assailant and eventually opening the door to the home for responding officers.
Christina was rushed to Long Island Jewish Medical Center, where she is recovering after surgery.
Jonathon Walker fled the scene, and after a brief cell-phone conversation with his brother, shot himself once in the head with the .45-caliber handgun used in the murders. His body and weapon were discovered around 11 a.m. Saturday inside a 2013 GMC Acadia on Lefferts Boulevard near JFK Pan Am Road, according to a NYPD spokeswoman.
“In the wake of this tragic event, I call upon residents of Springfield Gardens to pray for and offer support to the families of the victims,” City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) said on Saturday. “While gun violence continues to rear its head in our neighborhoods, the passing of these innocent lives is a stark reminder that these weapons have no place in New York City outside of the context of law enforcement. I call upon the District Attorney, community leaders and others to work with me to remove guns, prevent crimes and ultimately save lives.”
By Michael V. Cusenza
