CLINTON, MD — Nearly two years after the tragic death of 16-year-old Robert Walker, Prince George’s County police have announced an arrest in the 2023 gas station shooting that claimed his life. Authorities on Friday identified Stephon Johnson, now 18, as the suspect. He has been formally charged with first- and second-degree murder.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that left a family grieving and a community searching for answers.
A Mother’s Last Words to Her Son
Robert Walker was fatally shot on August 12, 2023, just days before what would have been his 17th birthday. His mother, Indiara Walker, recalled their final exchange that morning with heartbreaking clarity.
“I was going out to run some errands, and he just stopped and said, ‘Mommy, I love you,’ and I said, ‘I love you too,’ and that was the last thing we said to each other,” she said.
What was supposed to be a routine stop at a Clinton-area gas station to grab snacks ended in tragedy. Police responded to the gas station on Highway 223, where they found Robert inside suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save him, he died at the scene.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Robert was a student at Gwynn Park High School, known for his kindness, ambition, and warm personality. “He was an amazing person all the way around the board,” his mother shared. “The sweetest person you could probably ever meet. I would’ve never in a million years imagined anyone would want to hurt Robby.”
In the months following his death, Robert’s family held vigils and public gatherings to keep attention on the case. “I constantly pushed the fact that I didn’t want my son’s case to be a cold case,” Indiara said. “As a mom, you just want justice.”
Justice in Progress
Johnson’s arrest offers a measure of hope for the Walker family, though the pain of loss remains. “I know that won’t bring him back,” said his mother. “But I know that we fought and we are still fighting hard to get him justice.”
She reflected on the life her son was preparing to live — one filled with dreams of prom, graduation, college, and a bright future. “It’s unfortunate that he didn’t make it to do all of those things,” she added.
Ongoing Investigation
Though charges have been filed, investigators are still working to determine a motive. The circumstances that led up to the shooting remain unclear, and authorities are continuing their efforts to piece together the full story.
Johnson is currently being held without bond, and no further suspects have been named in connection with the shooting.
A Family United in Grief and Determination
For the Walker family, the road to healing will be long, if not endless. “I don’t think this is something that we’re ever going to heal from,” Indiara said. “But we all are sticking together to try our best to get justice and remember him.”
As the legal process unfolds, Robert Walker’s memory lives on through those who loved him most — a young life remembered for its warmth, potential, and the deep impact he had in such a short time.
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