Albertlean East, a 26-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on August 31, 2018, in Tampa, Florida. On that fateful evening, at approximately 9:23 p.m., unknown assailants entered a residence located at 9508 10th Street North and opened fire. Albertlean East and Marcus Bowden, a 40-year-old African American man, were both shot during the incident.
East was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
The investigation into the double homicide revealed that Marcus Bowden had been involved in an argument earlier that night. Darris Lamando Walker, a 25-year-old man from Tampa, was identified as the shooter. Walker, who was not directly involved in the argument, shot Bowden, and when Albertlean East ran to Bowden's side, Walker shot her as well. Walker was arrested nearly a year later and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case drew significant attention from the community and law enforcement, leading to a thorough investigation. Detectives worked diligently to piece together the events of that night and gather evidence to bring the perpetrator to justice. The arrest of Walker provided some closure to the families of the victims, but the loss of Albertlean East and Marcus Bowden left a lasting impact on their loved ones and the community.
