Gary Wallock, a 34-year-old resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was tragically killed on January 16, 2017. The incident occurred outside the Lobster and Seafood Warehouse in Lauderhill, where Wallock and his girlfriend were about to leave the premises. Surveillance footage revealed that a man dressed in red was waiting outside the store. As Wallock exited, the assailant approached and fired multiple rounds, striking Wallock 13 times.
The shooter then stood over Wallock and continued firing at point-blank range, indicating a targeted execution. Wallock was pronounced dead at the scene by the time police and fire rescue arrived.
The investigation into Wallock's murder quickly identified Trace Walker, a 26-year-old man, as the primary suspect. Walker was captured on surveillance video approaching Wallock and opening fire. He fled the scene in a blue 2010 Nissan Altima with dark-tinted windows. Walker was arrested on February 16, 2017, in Palm Beach County with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the West Palm Beach Police Department, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service. He was charged with premeditated murder and held without bond at the Broward County main jail.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but the nature of the attack suggested it was not a random act. Wallock's family, devastated by the loss, has been vocal in their plea for justice. His father, Donald Wallock, expressed his grief and called for the perpetrator to turn himself in. Wallock's girlfriend, who was also targeted but managed to escape unharmed, was placed under protective custody following the incident.
The case garnered significant media attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the swift arrest of the suspect. The legal proceedings against Walker are ongoing, with the charge of premeditated murder carrying severe penalties. The community and Wallock's family continue to seek closure and justice for the senseless killing of a man who had moved to the United States to build a better life and had left behind a young daughter in Jamaica.
