Symir Rasheed Walker’s life was short, but the impact he made on others was huge.
His mother, Allissa Jackson, attended a support group luncheon in which a psychologist was a guest speaker. He talked about a young man whose murder promoted numerous people to see him to process their grief.
“I came to find out he was talking about Symir,” Allissa said. “He said that this young man was loved throughout the neighborhood and had a positive influence on so many of his friends.”
Symir was born Oct. 28, 2001 in Philadelphia and grew up in Hawthorne. He had just completed ninth grade at KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy and was trying to land his first job.
He loved eating his mom’s home-cooked ribs, playing video games and listening to music, but Symir’s biggest focus was basketball. He was named Most Valuable Player on one of the teams he played on, and he dreamed about playing for the Temple Owls.
On the night of June 15, 2018, Symir played basketball at Palumbo Recreation Center at 9th and Fitzwater. He and his 12-year-old friend were headed home at about 10:30 p.m. when shots were fired from a vehicle at 12th and Fitzwater, a few blocks from his home.
His friend sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg and survived. Symir was fatally injured and was pronounced dead a short time later at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was 16 years old.
Symir’s murder resulted in an outpouring of grief as friends, neighbors, family and schoolmates remembered how the teen made them laugh.
“Symir was lovable, and anyone that was around him enjoyed his sense of humor and gravitated to his personality,” Allissa said. “He was a comedian and naturally funny.”
She added: “He had a good heart. If you were having the worst of worst days and you encountered him, he changed it all. His smile was contagious and he’d make you smile, too.”
Allissa organized a special three-point contest basketball game to honor Symir on the one-year anniversary of his passing. It will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Chew Playground, located at 19th and Washington. There will be food and music and public is invited to attend.
In addition to his mother, Symir is survived by his father, Shawn Walker; his stepfather, two older brothers, Shawn and Manny. He was cremated.
An award of up to $20,000 if available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Symir’s murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
Date: 2018-06-15
Location: 1200 Fitzwater St, Philadelphia, PA
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