Killing of Seth Smith
| Killing of Seth Smith | |
|---|---|
| Location | Berkeley, California |
| Date | June 15, 2020 |
Attack type | Shooting |
| Victim | Seth Smith |
| Perpetrator | Tony Lorenzo Walker |
| Verdict | Pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter |
| Convictions | 25 years in prison[1] |
Seth Robert Smith (2001–2020) was a 19-year-old University of California, Berkeley student who was fatally shot in the back of the head at point-blank range near his off-campus apartment in Berkeley, California, on June 15, 2020.[2] Berkeley police arrested local resident Tony Lorenzo Walker, then 60, on August 20, 2020, and the Alameda County district attorney first charged him with murder.[3] Walker later pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and, on May 23, 2022, received a 25-year state-prison sentence.[1]
Background
Seth Smith grew up in Elk Grove, California, and graduated from Cosumnes Oaks High School. At UC Berkeley he double-majored in economics and history and planned graduate study at the London School of Economics.[2][4]
Tony Lorenzo Walker (born 1960) was a longtime Berkeley resident with at least eleven prior felony convictions, including robberies in the 1970s–1990s, an assault with a deadly weapon in 2001, and a 2016 firearm-possession case that barred him from owning guns.[5]
Shooting
At about 10:00 p.m. on June 15, 2020, Smith left his apartment for a customary evening walk. A passer-by walking a dog found him around 11:15 p.m. lying on Dwight Way near Valley Street with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.[6] He was transported to Highland Hospital, where he died shortly afterward.
Investigation and arrest
On June 18, 2020, the City of Berkeley offered a US$50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.[4] An anonymous tip soon directed detectives to Walker, and officers arrested him at his Dwight Way residence on August 20, 2020.[3] Court testimony later indicated that Walker had purchased ammunition through an intermediary two days before the shooting and admitted the killing to that acquaintance.[5]
Trial and sentencing
The Alameda County district attorney charged Walker with murder and firearm enhancements on August 24, 2020.[3] Walker initially pleaded not guilty, but on May 23, 2022, he entered a no-contest plea to voluntary manslaughter as part of a negotiated disposition.[6] Superior Court Judge Paul Delucchi sentenced him to 25 years in state prison. Under California’s truth-in-sentencing rules, he must serve at least 85 percent (about 21 years) before parole eligibility.[1]
Aftermath
During sentencing Walker turned to Smith’s mother and said he was “so sorry” and had “no reason” for the shooting.[7] Michelle Smith told reporters the plea deal denied the family a public trial and deeper understanding of her son’s death.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Man convicted in shooting death of Elk Grove teen sentenced to 25 years". CBS Sacramento. CBS News. May 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b "Campus mourns tragic death of third-year Berkeley student". Berkeley News. University of California, Berkeley. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Man charged with murder in UC Berkeley student's shooting death". KTVU. KTVU FOX 2. August 24, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b "$50,000 reward offered in case of slain UC Berkeley student Seth Smith". CBS Bay Area. CBS News. June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Barmann, Jay (November 19, 2020). "Suspect in seemingly random June killing of UC Berkeley student confessed, says friend". SFist. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Lee, Henry; Seldon, Aja (May 23, 2022). "Man convicted of killing UC Berkeley student to reveal motive". KTVU. KTVU FOX 2. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Raguso, Emilie (May 24, 2022). "Killer apologizes to mother of slain teen: 'Before you know it, I shot Seth'". Berkeleyside. Retrieved June 23, 2025.