On September 17, 2023, Johnny Walker, a 44-year-old hairstylist from Gainesville, Florida, was found dead in the parking lot of Cynthia Chestnut Park, located at 2315 SE 35th St. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after a 911 caller reported hearing several gunshots in the area. Upon arrival, police found Walker lying motionless and he was later pronounced dead at the UF Health Trauma Center.
Walker was a well-known figure in the community, described by his sister, Dawn Walker, as the "life of the party" and a very loving, fun, and giving person. He was known by hundreds of people across Florida and Georgia for his hairstyling skills. Walker had a routine of visiting Cynthia Chestnut Park every Sunday to relax and listen to music, making his death at that location particularly ironic.
Following Walker's death, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office identified Javon Barclay, a 28-year-old man from Ocala, as a person of interest in the investigation. Barclay was arrested after police performed a PIT maneuver on a gold BMW sedan, which belonged to the deceased victim, as it was traveling north on US Highway 441. At the time of his arrest, Barclay was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement and driving with a suspended license. He also had a documented history of alleged domestic violence and an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
As of January 17, 2024, Javon Barclay has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, felony driving with a license suspended, and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. This indictment stems from the investigation into Walker's death and Barclay's involvement in driving Walker's car after the fatal shooting.
The family of Johnny Walker has been actively seeking justice for his death, with his sister Dawn Walker urging the public to report any information to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and expressing their determination to fight for justice through social media and other means.
