Deon Green, Gleaner Writer
WALKER
LONDON, England:
ANTHONY WALKER, the 18-year-old black youth who was bludgeoned to death in what police believe was a racially motivated attack in Liverpool, England, last Friday, was of Jamaican parentage.
This was confirmed by the Merseyside police who are investigating the murder.
Walker was hacked to death with an axe as he made his way home Friday night, just minutes after he had been taunted with racist abuse while standing with his white girlfriend and a male relative.
The murder has shocked the community and revived memories of the 1993 murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was stabbed to death by racists in London.
Meanwhile, British police hunting the killers yesterday arrested two men, aged 26 and 29, on suspicion of murder. They already have a 17-year-old in custody and an 18-year-old has been released on bail.
They also want to speak to two other men, Paul Taylor, 20, and Michael Barton, 18, over the death and say the men may have left the country.
Walker, described as a devout Christian, had just completed his A'Levels at Carmel College in St. Helens.
His sister, Dominique Walker, described him as a devoted Christian and a loving and kind young man who wanted to become a lawyer.
Dominique said Anthony was one of six children - he had four sisters and one younger brother. "He was studying law, IT and media; he was going to be a lawyer and he was waiting for his AS results," Dominique said in a release received from the Merseyside police.
The Gleaner understands that Anthony even was an avid sportsman, particularly in basketball and football. He reportedly held leadership roles in the Grace Family Church in his area and was an ardent churchgoer.
His sister added, "He gave so much of his life to help other people; Anthony played a massive role within his very close family, he was the perfect son, a wonderful grandson, a loyal and reliable, loving, fun brother and a fantastic uncle and cousin."
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that Walker was bludgeoned with an axe, which was found embedded in his skull.
Merseyside police said that while Walker and his white girlfriend waited for a bus outside the Huyton Park pub with a cousin, a man wearing a hooded top subjected them to a "torrent of racial abuse". Mr Walker and his companions did not retaliate to the abuse and left to find another bus stop. They were followed, and as they walked through McGoldrick Park, a gang of three or four men attacked them.
Reuters news agency contributed to this report
