McGarland Walker, a 24-year-old Black man known to his loved ones as Mack, was a devoted husband and a loving father to two young children. Born in San Diego, California, he moved with his family to South Dakota as an adolescent. The youngest of eight siblings, he was remembered for his charismatic personality, his passion for basketball and football, and a heart of gold that drew people to him.
His family was his proudest accomplishment, and he cherished his wife, Serene, and their children, Alkai and Shy'Heir.
On the evening of March 8, 2024, Walker’s life was cut short in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was shot six times and killed inside an apartment building in the 4500 block of Candlewood Place. Police discovered him deceased in the entryway. The investigation that followed revealed Walker and the man who shot him, Luke Birch, had been best friends but were involved in a dispute that had largely taken place over the phone.
The day after the shooting, police arrested 21-year-old Luke Birch. He was charged with first-degree murder. Investigators determined that on the night of the killing, Walker had gone to the apartment of Birch’s girlfriend, where Birch was staying. Evidence presented at trial showed Birch was waiting for Walker, armed and wearing a ski mask. When Walker entered the building, Birch shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene and attempting to cover up his involvement.
Birch was held on a $2 million bond and pleaded not guilty. During his trial, his defense claimed he had acted in self-defense. In May 2026, after several hours of deliberation, a Pennington County jury found Luke Birch guilty of second-degree murder. At the sentencing hearing, members of Walker’s family addressed the court, describing him as a devoted husband, son, and father whose life mattered deeply to them. Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Adam Shiffermiller called the killing a "senseless and tragic act of violence." In June 2026, Birch was sentenced to life in prison, the mandatory penalty for his conviction in South Dakota.
