Mike Walker was 50 years old and his wife Rachael was 44. Apparently they were both deeply religious. He had taught percussion at places like Southwest Christian University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Langston University. He also played drums at his non-denominational church in Edmond, OK. She served as a secretary there.
Mr. Walker's skill on the drums was proficient enough to land him a running gig with the band, Aranda. The group has been described on various sites as an alt-rock and metal outfit. Despite the description, according to one source, their main success came on Billboard's Main Stream Rock Top 40 list. One of their songs was covered by Kelly Clarkson who will never be described as either an alt-rock, or metal artist.
The Walker's religion was deep enough they named their two sons after the Old Testament prophets, Elijah and Isiah. Eli, at 19 is the older of the two boys, Isiah is 17.
When Edmond police entered their house early on the morning of March 4th they found a jug of water on the living room coffee table labeled, "Blessed Holy Water." A piece of paper with the Ten Commandments written on it was taped to the utility room door.
Tragically, the cops found more and none of it had to do with Jesus, or Christianity. Inside Eli's bedroom they discovered four hand made explosive devices, a Glock 17 semi automatic pistol, an AR-15 rifle with a laser scope, more than 500 rounds of ammo, a homemade silencer, and a collection of knives. In addition there was a set of ear protectors, a hatchet, a compound bow, and what Oklahoman reporter, Nolan Clay described as, "evidence of marijuana use." In another bedroom they found an inert grenade.
It's unknown at this time, at least publicly, if Eli collected the cache of weapons on his own, or if he was aided in the purchases by his Mom and Dad. What we are sure of is, at the very least they knew he had the Glock, because Isiah told police his brother used to carry it around the house. What we're also sure of is Eli Walker is bat shit crazy and, according to family members, has been for years.
He proved it last Monday morning when he shot his mother and father multiple times. He told police he did so after he asked Mike Walker a question about Satanism which set off an argument. He explained to the police he had come to believe his parents were Satanists who were sending him telepathic messages. He also told Edmond cops he believed he did, "the right thing."
In today's, The Oklahoman, Clay quoted Eli's attorney, Derek Chance as saying, "I've had an initial assessment done on him and it clearly indicates he is acutely paranoid and delusional. This, we believe, explains the horrible tragedy."
Not entirely.
What Chance didn't talk about is how a 19 year old living at home could afford a Glock-17 which retails at Bass Pro Shop for $599.99, plus an AR-15 which runs anywhere from $500 to $900 without the added cost of a laser scope.
He also didn't question why anyone would allow their kid, who everyone knew was and is nuts, to either purchase such weapons, or let him walk around their house with at least one of them.
Was it Mike and Rachael Walker's fault they are dead? No, just like it wasn't Nancy Lanza's fault she was killed that terrible morning in Newtown, CT. However, just as in Adam Lanza's case, someone in that home, steeped in religion, damn sure enabled Eli Walker to possess the weapon which was used to murder them.
In case you were wondering, up until Monday of last week, Elijah Walker didn't have a criminal record. He, like young Mr. Lanza, was, as they say, clean. So if he had the money, he could well have bought both firearms without any problem despite his illness. The truth is, there isn't a sales clerk at a gun store in this country who will question the mental health of a customer.
But, hey, what else is new? Look, this is America and buying guns is as easy and common as picking up a bunch of bananas from the local grocery. After all, it is our God given right. At least that is what the NRA tells us again and again and again.
It's just too bad, a little over a week ago, despite their faith, the Lord wasn't at Mike and Rachael Walker's house, but those guns were.
sic vita est
3-12-19
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