Protesters ask Cedar Rapids police to make arrest in fatal stabbing

CEDAR RAPIDS — Protesters outside the Cedar Rapids Police Department sought justice this week for Devonna Walker, a Black woman who died from a stabbing Jan. 3.

Police were called to the 2100 block of North Towne Ct. NE at 6:44 p.m. Jan. 3. Walker was found with a stab wound and was taken to a hospital where she died. Two people were detained and interviewed, but were released later that day.

No one has been arrested in the case, and Wednesday night’s protesters, from Parents Against Violence Everywhere and the Advocates of Social Justice, want that to change.

Angelina Ramirez, the Advocates for Social Justice Board vice president, said the organization decided to support the protest to “apply pressure to the Cedar Rapids Police Department to make an arrest in Devonna’s killing as soon as possible.”

Ramirez said she believes Cedar Rapids police can do a better job of showing that it cares about the safety of Black people as much as white people in the city, and that arresting someone in the case sooner rather than later would be a step in that direction.

Advocates for Social Justice released a statement, echoing Ramirez’s statements, and reporting that Walker’s mother has repeatedly sought more information about the investigation from Cedar Rapids police and hasn’t received it.

“We recognize that this is an active and ongoing investigation. However the absence of an arrest and lack of transparency with the case further erodes trust between the Black community and law enforcement. … The racist nature of Devonna’s killing should be met with the utmost seriousness and pursued to the furthest extent permitted by law. The community demands that Devonna Walker receive justice, answers, and accountability,” the statement reads.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Linn County Attorney’s Office also released a statement, expressing sympathy to Walker’s family and friends and emphasizing that a homicide investigation can take days, weeks or even months before enough evidence is gathered to determine criminal charges.

“The Cedar Rapids Police Department and Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks consulted on the investigation and determined further investigation was necessary to determine whether charges were applicable and what they would be if deemed appropriate,” the statement reads.

“We understand the family and friends of Devonna Walker — and our greater community — want answers as to what happened that led to Devonna Walker losing her life. We want answers as well and that is why the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Linn County Attorney’s Office are continuing to work together on this ongoing investigation.”

The release also stated that there has been a “growing level of inaccurate information coursing through social media and other channels. This kind of speculative commentary is potentially hurtful to the family and our community.”

Jimaine Cooper, a co-founder of Parents Against Violence Everywhere and a friend of Walker’s, said he organized the protest because he wants to see justice for Walker and for her family, who he has known for several years.

“We need justice. We need for somebody to show that they do stand up for Blacks,” Cooper said at the protest.

Cooper said he plays basketball with Walker’s brothers, and she used to come to his Parents Against Violence Everywhere events. He saw her at a New Year’s Eve party just a few days before she died, and he said she’d been complaining about not feeling safe around her neighbors.

Walker has three children, and several other family members who are grieving her loss. A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of the family, which states that any money donated will go toward supporting Walker’s children.

Cooper is planning on hosting additional protests until an arrest is made in the case.

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