By Sadef Ali Kully
Three members of a family in Rosedale were shot and killed in a rampage that left a 12-year-old girl fighting for her life at Long Island Jewish Hospital, police said Saturday.
The suspect, Jonathan Walker, 34, fled the scene and was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his car seven miles away, authorities said.
The victims were identified as Walker’s partner, Shanti Hale, 31; her 62-year-old mother, Viola Warren; and his 7-year-old daughter Kayla Walker, police said.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The shootings occurred about 5:40 a.m. Saturday near 231st Street and 148th Avenue.
“This morning’s tragedy once again underscores the human toll and horror of domestic violence. Despite the progress that we have made in domestic violence prevention and prosecution, today’s events in southeast Queens show that we cannot relent in our efforts to eliminate the scourge of domestic violence,” said the Queens District Attorney’s office in a statement released Saturday.
The survivor is also thought to be one of Walker’s daughters. She was shot in the head and is currently in a medically induced coma in critical condition, police said.
Later found dead, Walker was in his vehicle with a self-inflicted gun shot wound at the Lefferts Boulevard extension, south of the Belt Parkway. Police recovered a 45-caliber firearm.
“In the wake of this tragic event, I call upon the residents of Springfield Gardens to pray and offer support to the families of the victims,” said Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) in a statement released Saturday.“While gun violence continues to rear its head in our neighborhoods, the passing of these innocent lives is a stark reminder that these weapons have no place in New York City outside of the context of law enforcement.”
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skully@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4546.
