This afternoon, Luis Anthony Walker was found guilty of Second Degree Murder, including all special findings, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm, and Aggravated Animal Cruelty, including all special findings. The special findings by the jury on the murder charge were that a firearm was used and that the defendant possessed, and discharged a firearm, causing great bodily harm or death. The special finding on the animal cruelty charge, was that the defendant, during the commission of a crime, carried, displayed, threatened, or used a firearm. The verdict comes following a 7-day trial in Lee County.
Assistant State Attorney Brenda Wade, of the State Attorney’s Office Homicide, Unit and Assistant State Attorney Leena Marcos prosecuted the case.
In March 2020, just after 7 p.m., the defendant was walking his four dogs, in his apartment complex parking lot, just off of Gladiolus Drive. The defendant’s neighbors were also outside walking their dog. At one point, the neighbor’s dog ran towards one of the defendant’s dogs. The neighbor pulled his dog away as the defendant yelled at him.
The defendant then went back to his apartment and returned with a firearm. He came back downstairs and shot the victim in the chest and then shot the victim’s dog, killing them both. The defendant went back inside his apartment. There were multiple witnesses to the shooting.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene immediately. As the first deputy on scene checked the victim for vital signs, the defendant walked out of his apartment, towards the deputy, stating, “It was me, I’m right here.” The deputy ordered the defendant to the ground, handcuffed him, and secured him in the back of his patrol vehicle. Walker told the deputy that he had gone to his apartment to change after the shooting because he didn’t want to be arrested in sweatpants. He also claimed the victim pulled the gun when the dogs started tussling and it accidentally went off. He said he put the gun in his apartment.
A search warrant on the defendant’s apartment led to the recovery of the revolver used in the crime and the sweatpants the defendant was wearing during the crime. The investigation by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and witness statements, proved the firearm was brought to the scene by the defendant.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2024.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office