Police in Orlando are investigating a shooting death of a black man that is believed to have been racially motivated, the chief of the city’s police department said Thursday.
“There is no question that the shooting of Mr. Allen Walker, a black male, is a hate crime and that this is a racially motivated attack,” Chief Larry O’Shaughnessy said during a press conference.
“The chief has directed the Orlando Police Department to provide any additional information that may be needed,” he said.
Walker was killed after a standoff with police early Wednesday morning.
A video of the shooting was released by the city on Thursday.
The suspect in the shooting, identified as John Allen Walker III, has been charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Walker’s family said he had been on the run since the shooting.
O’Quinn said he didn’t know of any information about the alleged shooter, who has not been publicly identified, and said he was working with law enforcement to identify other suspects in the case.
O`Quinn also said the city had not received any reports of vandalism or other threats against the family of Walker, but was looking into the possibility of other acts of violence.
“We do not have any other credible information that would lead us to believe that this incident has anything to do with the shooting or the death of Mr Walker,” O’quinn said.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Walker’s father, who lives in the city, was in the hospital with a gunshot wound.
Police said he appeared to be cooperating with authorities and was not under arrest.
Walker, who was shot in the leg, was shot by police, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
His father told the newspaper that he was trying to get his son out of the house when he was shot.
Walker has not yet been identified by police.
O’thisser said investigators would likely seek the help of the FBI to determine whether any other suspects were involved.
Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Walker was born in the state of Louisiana, according the Orlando Gazette, which reported that he lived in the St. Louis suburb of Pine Bluff for about three years.
The family told the paper that Walker was a former police officer.
He also had served as a police officer in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Jefferson Parish, according CNN affiliate WJLA.
