Reward Offered In Chess Player’s Murder

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — As the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for leads in the recent shooting death of a man killed after a chess game, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward in the case.

According to the sheriff’s office, Thomas Edward Walker III, 38, was sitting on the corner of Deefield Drive and Libby Lane around 1:20 p.m. March 11. Walker and another person were playing chess just before the shooting occurred, the agency wrote in an email to media.

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Walker, deputies say, got up and walked away from the game when a vehicle pulled up, a man got out and fired multiple shots. The man then got back into the car, which is believed to be a dark-colored, four-door Buick, and took off on Darlington Drive. Deputies say another man was driving the Buick.

Walker was struck by the spray of bullets and died from his injuries.

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information about the vehicle or the men involved may submit a tip by calling 1-800-873-TIPS or by going online to www.crimestopperstb.com.

A detailed description of the accused shooter is not available. No further information about the shooting is being released at this time.

Photo of Thomas Edward Walker III courtesy of Crime Stoppers