Douglass L Walker III, a father of two sons known to friends and family as DJ, Doug, or Tana, is remembered for the joy he brought to those around him and the positive influence he had on their lives. A graduate of Bennett High School in Buffalo, New York, Douglass was part of many shared moments and relationships. His memory is cherished as a source of comfort by all who knew him, and the bonds he created with loved ones endure.
In the early hours of Monday, September 28, 2026, the
Buffalo Police Department was called to the scene of a large fight in the parking lot of an Aldi grocery store on Main Street. At approximately 12:30 a.m., amidst the altercation, gunfire erupted. When officers arrived, they discovered that Douglass had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man involved in the fight later appeared at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) with a gunshot wound to his arm; he was expected to recover.
The shooting was one of several violent incidents that occurred in Buffalo over that weekend, prompting a press briefing from Buffalo Police Commissioner Erika Shields. She stated that the fatal shooting in the Aldi parking lot may have stemmed from an earlier incident inside a club. The commissioner noted that investigators were facing challenges, as witnesses were not being cooperative or forthcoming with information. "It's going to really take some legwork on the work of our detectives," Shields said. She expressed confidence that the case would be resolved but acknowledged it had been a difficult weekend for the city. At the time, police did not believe the shooting was connected to the other incidents that occurred.
Detectives with the Buffalo Police Department are leading the investigation. They have been following up on all available leads, which includes speaking to any available witnesses, canvassing the area for evidence, and collecting surveillance footage. As of late September 2026, no arrests had been made in connection with Douglass's death. The case remains an active and open homicide investigation.
In the days following his death, family and friends gathered to honor Douglass's life. A wake was held on the morning of Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at T L Pickens Mortuary Services on East Utica Street in Buffalo, followed by a funeral service at the same location. He was later laid to rest at Pinelawn Cemetery in the nearby town of Cheektowaga. The bonds he shared with loved ones and the experiences they created together are remembered as his lasting legacy.
The investigation into the murder of Douglass L Walker III is ongoing. Crimestoppers of Western New York has offered a reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his death. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward and contact the Buffalo Police Department.
