JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced an increased reward Friday in the shooting death of 41-year-old veteran Byron W. Walker.
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First Coast Crime Stoppers is now offering $20,000 for any information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible.
It has almost been a month since JSO was called to Maidstone Cove Drive where gunshots were reported on May 23.
Police found Walker at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds, and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue took him to a local hospital where he died.
Last month, investigators said a man was detained and questioned at JSO headquarters.
Two of Walker’s best friends said he was a genuine person.
“When you think about Byron, you gotta think about that,” Justin West said. “[It could be] the darkest night and that individual would bring light into it. He’ll always be smiling, even when he’s upset. He had this crazy infectious smile that made you want to ask ‘What’s so funny?’”
Darryl Snyder said the family decided to increase the reward to $20,000.
“We don’t want this to be a cold case where people responsible for this are out in the community and possibly going after other people. It is of the essence to get these individuals off the street. And that’s the reason why the reward is so high and we increased it,” Synder said.
Snyder recounted one of his favorite moments with Walker.
“We were always so broke and he was the only one with a car. He had that gray minivan before he had the Montero so me and him used to try and get $1 worth of gas so we can go to McDonald’s to split the two cheeseburger meal,” Snyder said.
West told a story of Walker’s kindness.
“I was literally in a place and he wasn’t even my advisor. I’m asking questions, and I’m asking for a parking decal and Byron just happened to be walking by and said, ‘Hey, hopefully we’ll get a parking decal. You just ride with me,’” West said.
West said he learned about Walker’s death from his cousin right before his flight to Houston.
“As I was sitting down in my seat, she called me...I asked her ‘What’s going on with my brother?’ and she just broke down. She said, ‘They didn’t have to do my brother like that,’ West said. “I’m on the plane, I’m just losing it and basically the people to the right and left of me were extremely nice and asked me what was going on...it wasn’t a good day”.
They said Byron was an army veteran and a college graduate who loved being a dad.
“He was that person who said, hey, I’m going to do everything I can to consistently improve myself to elevate myself so I can be a beacon of light for my children,” West said. “And that’s what he went after. So you see that justice has to be served when it comes to Byron, because a lot of bad things happen in the world, but this here was the wrong call. We need justice for him sooner than later and I will not rest until we see that come to life.”
Synder talked about the type of person Walker was.
“He was a very dependable friend. Amazing father. The type of guy who’s never met a stranger. He’s open, he welcomes everybody with open arms. If you’re hungry, we’re going to figure out how we can all eat. That’s the type of man he was,” Synder said.
Sgt. Steve Rudlaff with the JSO Homicide Unit said investigators believe the incident was targeted.
Rudlaff said they are continuing to investigate. The search for more information on anyone involved has not stopped.
JSO’s Homicide Unit, Crime Scene Unit, and partners from the State Attorney’s Office have continued to look over evidence.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500, by email at jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org, via First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS or dial **8477.