Teenager who died at Tacoma hospital identified as victim of fatal Parkland shooting
Nearly three months after a teenager was shot on state Route 7 in Parkland and later died from his injuries, police do not have a suspect in custody.
Russell Walker III, 15, was shot along with two other people in the early morning hours of Dec. 30. Walker, a Maple Valley resident, died from his injuries Jan. 2 at a Tacoma hospital.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday that Walker died from gunshot wounds to the head and ruled his death a homicide.
Initially, Tacoma Police were investigating the shooting. When the shooting’s location at SR 7 and 112th Street East was determined, the investigation was turned over to the Washington State Patrol on Jan. 3. State Route 7, also known as Pacific Avenue South, is in WSP’s jurisdiction.
According to Chris Loftis, a State Patrol spokesperson, four people arrived via car at a Tacoma hospital at about 2 a.m. on Dec. 30. Three were admitted, including Walker. One of those people later left the hospital without speaking with law enforcement.
The State Patrol attempted to contact Walker’s family soon after his death but apparently failed. Contact between the family and WSP was finally made on Tuesday, Loftis said. The Pierce County Medical Examiner posted Walker’s death information on its website on Wednesday following a request by The News Tribune.
The WSP said its investigation is ongoing and could not discuss investigatory details.
This story was originally published March 20, 2024 at 2:04 PM.
