Walter Matthews III, a 23-year-old male from Akron, Ohio, tragically lost his life on June 3, 2019. Matthews was with his girlfriend at a store on West South Street and Princeton Avenue when he was approached by Eugene Wells, a 27-year-old man from Akron. The encounter escalated into an altercation, during which Wells pulled out a gun and shot Matthews multiple times.
Matthews succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident at Akron General Hospital.
Following the shooting, Wells fled to West Virginia, but was apprehended by U.S. Marshals approximately a month later. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder with gun specifications, felonious assault with a gun specification, and having weapons under disability. On November 12, 2022, Wells was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving at least 18 years.
The case drew significant attention in Akron, with the community mourning the loss of a young man whose life was cut short by senseless violence. The legal proceedings against Wells highlighted the severe consequences of carrying and using a firearm during a confrontation. The conviction and sentencing brought a measure of justice for Matthews and his loved ones, though the pain of his loss remains profound.
