Friends remember Jacksonville veteran killed in shooting

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Friday announced an increased reward for the shooting death of 41-year-old veteran Byron W. Walker.

RELATED: JSO identifies man who died in hospital after shooting in Northside

First Coast Crime Stoppers is now offering $20,000 for information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible.

It has been nearly a month since JSO was called to Maidstone Cove Drive on May 23 for a report of shots fired.

Police found Walker at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds and Jacksonville Fire Department transported him to a local hospital where he died.

Last month, investigators said a man was arrested and questioned at JSO headquarters.

Two of Walker’s best friends said he was a sincere person.

“When you think of Byron, you have to think of that,” Justin West said. “It could be the darkest night and this person would bring light into it. He would always smile, even when he was upset. He had this crazy, infectious smile that made you ask, ‘What’s so funny?'”

Darryl Snyder said the family has decided to increase the reward to $20,000.

“We don’t want this to remain an unsolved case with those responsible out in the community and potentially going after other people. It’s critical to get these individuals off the streets. And that’s why the reward is so high and why we’ve increased it,” Synder said.

Sergeant Steve Rudlaff of the JSO’s homicide unit said investigators believe this was a targeted incident.

Rudlaff said the investigation is continuing and the search for further information about those involved is not yet over.

The JSO homicide squad and forensic team as well as partners from the public prosecutor’s office continue to examine the evidence.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500, email at [email protected], First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS or call **8477.