A father from Queens, New York, allegedly went on a shooting spree Saturday morning and killed his wife, 7-year-old daughter, and mother-in-lawat their home in Springfield Gardens. His 12-year-old daughter, who he reportedly shot in the head, survived this horrific tragedy and was able to call police.
Jonathon Walker, 34, reportedly methodically shot and killed his 31-year-old wife, Shantai Hale, her 62-year-old mother, Viola, and their little girl, Kayla Walker, at around 5:40 a.m. He also shot his tween daughter, according to police, and then fled the scene. Despite sustaining a gunshot to the head, the girl was able to call 911 to report what had happened. They say she indicated that her father snapped before he targeted each of his family members in their own bedrooms.
The 12-year-old was rushed to a hospital, where she is undergoing surgery. Police aren't sure whether she made the phone call before or after her father reportedly shot her.
Walker, whom police say is 6-foot-5, weighs 230 pounds, and played professional basketball in Portugal, is still on the run. He and their children's mother, who was his common-law wife, were together for more than 10 years and he worked as a bouncer in a club. Aside from describing the suspect as "quiet," neighbors don't really have much to reveal about Walker that makes it seem like he was a suspicious character.
Our hearts are with this little girl. We wish her a quick recovery and hope she has supportive family members who can help her deal with the nightmare of losing her mother, sister, and grandmother.
UPDATE: Walker was found five hours after the shooting incident dead in a wooded area of Queens. Police say he reportedly shot himself in the head and died in his car.
Why do you think this father allegedly snapped and killed his family?
Image via New York City Police Department