JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A Jefferson County mother is on life-support after investigators say she was shot by her ex-husband at her home Monday morning while their children were home.
Their children were able to flee to a neighbor’s house for safety.
The manhunt for Dereck Jamaille Walker, accused of pulling the trigger, ended Tuesday after he reportedly surrendered in Pensacola, Florida to officials after a traffic stop.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Randy Christian says Walker confessed to the shooting and told officers they could find the gun he used in the glovebox. Walker is in the custody of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at the Escambia County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Jefferson County.
A news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Officer identified the victim as Habibba Moneque Walker, 45. Investigators first said she was pronounced dead early Monday morning, but later said she was on life support.
Walker’s mother, Adal Knight, told CBS 42 that medical professionals have braced family members for the unthinkable.
“The doctor said it’s not survivable, said she could survive it, but if she did she would never wake up and she would never be the same,” said Knight.
Knight said her daughter worked hard as a caretaker at the Veteran’s hospital and lived her life for her children.
“She was a giving person, she was kind, very soft spoken, easy going,” said Knight.
Knight said her daughter tried to escape the relationship several times. The two got divorced, but according to Knight, Walker did not leave her alone.
She cannot understand what would have led up to the shooting.
“We treated you like a son. I loved you, we respected you, and we did what we could for you, tried to make you a part of our family, and for you to do this to us, I just can’t understand how you did it,” said Knight.
For any other women in similar situations, Knight offered this advice:
“Get out of it and make reports and make a paper trail so that people would know what’s happening and know what’s going on, and don’t keep it to yourself out of embarrassment or fear,” said Knight.
Knight was relieved to hear that her grandchildren were able to escape to a neighbor’s house for safety.
“I want to be able to thank that person because really it could have meant the difference in my grandkids being alive,” said Knight.
On Monday night, Knight told CBS 42 she prayed Dereck Walker would be caught, while she and her family prepare for some difficult days ahead.
“I love her and I’ll see her again. I’ll see her again one day,” said Knight.
