On a summer day in Little Rock, Arkansas, a community was shaken by the loss of Marlon Kenta Walker, a 37-year-old Black man known for his culinary skills and his friendly demeanor. On June 27, 2016, Walker was fatally shot in the 9700 block of Collie Drive, a violent act that marked the city's 16th homicide of the year. He was a beloved husband to his wife, Trikina, and a devoted father to their three children, Tania, Tynley Jayce, and Tytan Marlon.
Many in the community knew him for his food truck business, a testament to his passion for cooking.
The Little Rock Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the shooting. Their efforts soon focused on a primary suspect: 34-year-old Cortez Antonio Bone. Authorities issued a warrant for Bone's arrest, charging him with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a certain person. He was also wanted on an outstanding felony absconding warrant related to state parole violations. Law enforcement officials considered Bone to be armed and dangerous, noting that he had reportedly expressed his intention not to be taken into custody.
A breakthrough in the case came just two days after the shooting. On June 29, 2016, officers with the Arkansas Community Correction apprehended Cortez Antonio Bone. Following his arrest, he was held on a $1 million bond. While the legal process began to unfold, the family of Marlon Walker, though devastated by their profound loss, expressed a commitment to forgiveness. They remembered him as a fun-loving individual who had a gift for connecting with people and never met a stranger. His sudden and violent death left a void in the lives of his family and the community he served with his food.
