In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 19, 2018, Gregory Kent Walker Jr., a 33-year-old Black/African American male, was shot and killed in Waterloo, Iowa. The incident occurred at a friend's home on Gable Street, where Walker was staying. Two children were present in the house at the time of the shooting but were not physically harmed. Paramedics transported Walker to UnityPoint-Allen Hospital, where he ultimately died from a serious gunshot wound.
His death was the result of a homicide during what authorities believe was an attempted robbery.
Walker's death was part of a violent night in Waterloo, as he was one of four victims in three separate shootings that occurred within a few hours of each other. A lifelong resident of Waterloo, Walker was a father of four children. He had attended East High School and had previously worked at Tyson Foods before becoming disabled. He was also well-known in the community as a basketball referee for the Iowa Referee Association, officiating games in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. On the very day he was killed, he had been scheduled to travel to Des Moines to referee a basketball game. Family members described him as a loving and dedicated father who had chosen to stay in Waterloo the night before to be with his children instead of traveling early for his work commitment.
Despite the ongoing investigation into his murder, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case remains unsolved. In response to his tragic death and to combat gun violence, Walker's family established a non-profit foundation called Beat The Streetz in 2020. The organization aims to raise awareness and foster a sense of peace and connection among the youth in the community. Authorities continue to ask for the public's help, and Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
