In the quiet hills of Wayne, West Virginia, a dispute between two men sharing a home escalated to a fatal conclusion, ending the life of 77-year-old Walter Toppins. On Tuesday, February 21, 2017, Toppins, a White male, was shot and killed in the residence he shared on Big Branch Road. The tranquility of the area was shattered by this act of violence, leaving a community in shock and a family to mourn the loss of a loved one. Toppins was a retired employee of Turman Construction Company and a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He was also described as a devout Christian and a member of the Echo United Baptist Church.
The investigation into the death of Walter Toppins quickly led to a suspect. Johnnie Walls, a 44-year-old man who lived in the same house as Toppins, was arrested in connection with the shooting.
According to the criminal complaint filed against him, Walls himself admitted to police that he and Toppins had been engaged in an argument that started on the Sunday prior to the fatal incident. This ongoing conflict culminated in the deadly shooting that Tuesday.
Following the events of that day, Johnnie Walls was taken into custody and faced the grave charge of murder. He was subsequently arraigned in Wayne County to answer for the death of Walter Toppins. The case then moved into the hands of the justice system, leaving the family of Walter Toppins to navigate their grief and seek closure through the legal process. Funeral services for Toppins were held the following Monday at Morris Funeral Home Chapel, with his burial taking place at the Toppins Cemetery in Kiahsville. He was survived by his wife, Linda Fry Toppins, a granddaughter, and numerous siblings.
