In the early hours of April 22, 2015, the life of 20-year-old Ezell Walker was tragically cut short in Saint Louis, Missouri. Officers responded to a call just after 3 a.m. in the Kingsway West neighborhood and discovered Walker's body in the yard of a vacant home on the 5200 block of Northland Avenue. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot in a nearby alley prior to the discovery.
The investigation into the death of the young man, who was known to be a rapper, singer, and boxer, quickly pointed towards a targeted attack. Initial reports suggested that an altercation Walker was involved in shortly before the shooting may have escalated, leading to his death. Eyewitness accounts were crucial in the early stages of the investigation, providing a description of a suspect seen fleeing the area immediately after the gunshot.
Following a thorough investigation by the Saint Louis Police Department, a primary suspect was identified. Tevin Collins, who was 18 years old at the time, was arrested and subsequently charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Walker's death. The case proceeded to trial, where the prosecution presented evidence, including witness testimonies and forensic analysis, to link Collins to the crime. Despite the defense's argument of insufficient evidence, the jury found Tevin Collins guilty of the charges, leading to a significant prison sentence and a measure of justice for Ezell Walker's family.
