On the evening of April 28, 2007, Melvin Whitaker Jr, a Black male, was at his sister’s apartment at 12621 Lincoln Ave SW in Lakewood, Washington, and told family he was going for a walk. Shortly afterward a single gunshot was heard; Whitaker was found in the northeast corner of the apartment complex parking lot near a large dumpster with one gunshot wound to the chest from what was believed to be a small-caliber firearm.

Witnesses reported a speeding older-model gray Ford Taurus with a lighter-colored door leaving the scene immediately after the shot. Occupants were not identified, though a passenger was described as a Black male about 30 to 40 years old with a beard and glasses. No license plate was obtained and the vehicle and its occupants were not recognized.

The case remains an unsolved homicide. The Lakewood Police Department lists the investigation as active, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests were reported. If anyone has information about that night, the vehicle, or the people seen leaving the scene, please contact the Lakewood police.