Fort Myers man convicted of killing neighbor, dog following confrontation
A Lee County jury on Tuesday ruled a Fort Myers man is guilty in the 2020 murder of a man and killing of his dog during an altercation while both walked their pets.
Luis Anthony Walker, 49, 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 State Attorney's Office said.
The special findings by the jury on the murder charge were that a firearm was used and that Walker possessed and discharged a firearm, causing great bodily harm or death, prosecutors explained. The special finding on the animal cruelty charge was that Walker, during the commission of a crime, carried, displayed, threatened, or used a firearm. The verdict came following a seven-day trial in Lee County.
In March 2020, just after 7 p.m., Walker was walking his four dogs in his apartment complex parking lot, just off of Gladiolus Drive, while his neighbors were also outside walking their dog.
At one point, the investigation found, the neighbor’s dog ran toward one of Walker's dogs. The neighbor pulled his dog away as Walker yelled at him, according to the probe.
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Walker 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, prosecutors said. He later pointed the firearm at the victim's wife and didn't open fire after she begged not to shoot her.
Walker then went back inside his apartment. There were multiple witnesses to the shooting.
As the first deputy on scene checked the victim for vital signs, the defendant walked out of his apartment, toward the deputy, saying, "It was me, I’m right here."
The deputy ordered Walker to the ground, handcuffed him and secured him in the back of his patrol vehicle.
Walker told the deputy he had gone to his apartment to change after the shooting because he didn’t want to be arrested in sweatpants.
A search warrant on Walker'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 Walker brought the firearm to the scene.
Walker's sentencing is slated for June 26.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fort Myers man convicted of killing neighbor, dog after confrontation
