Queens girl who survived dad's killing spree coping with loss of family
SPRINGFIELD GARDENS (WABC) -- Christina Walker endured a horror last January that she still can't talk about. Her father, Jonathon Walker, exploded in unexplained rage that killed her mom, sister and grandmother before he took his own life.
Months later, she is a little girl who looks just fine, but Christina is wrestling with such raw emotion.
"She doesn't talk about it, it's still a lot for her to process," Jennifer Warren, her great aunt, said. "She's only 11 years old and she's going to need time to grieve just like the rest of us."
All remain deeply rattled by what happened in their home, the same place where for the first time they open up about the massacre that played out upstairs.
As they slept on January 24th, Christina's father Jonathan executed his 7-year-old daughter, Kayla.
"She loved to dress up in her princess costumes," Jennifer said.
He killed the girls' mother, Shantai, and their grandmother, Viola, and then shot Christina in the head, but she was still able to call 911.
"I knew it involved my family but I didn't know what it was," Jennifer said.
On that frigid morning, Jennifer was asleep right downstairs and never heard a thing. She's haunted by the thought that she could have been Jonathan's next target.
"I don't know why he didn't come in here. Whatever occurred, we're blessed it didn't happen," she said.
Instead, Jonathan left. Hours later, he committed suicide.
"How could that happen? Where did that come from? We had barbecues there, get-togethers, Christmas, everything. Nothing. Not a sign," family member Lorna Simmons said.
The home is now for sale. Jennifer rarely goes upstairs. It's just too hard.
"What happened shattered my faith in humanity, it has made me more afraid," Jennifer said.
Their priority is now Christina, and surrounding her with love. She's back in school, a 6th grader at St. Claire Academy. The school, along with Councilman Donovan Richards, has started a fund to help pay for Christina's education and medical expenses.
"Christina has lost her parents, but we want to make a bright future for her," Jennifer said.
If you would like to help, please visit www.friendsofchristina.com or write to:
ATTENTION: Friends of Christina
Po Box 340296
Jamaica, NY 11434
Payable to: Christina Walker
