Jason Walker died attempting to rescue an indeterminate number of people from assault, Lewiston, Maine, October 25, 2023. About 60 people were inside a bowling alley when an assailant entered with an assault rifle and opened fire, killing a man at the front counter before his gun jammed. Walker, 51, construction worker, and his lifelong friend, 51, were bowling with their partners in the lane nearest the entrance, about 40 feet from the assailant. Walker immediately told his wife and his friend’s partner to take cover. As the assailant tried to clear the jam with his back to them, both men ran at the assailant, Walker slightly ahead. The assailant turned to face Walker, raising his gun. Walker leapt into the air in an apparent attempt to kick the gun away, but the assailant, who had managed to clear the jam, shot him in the knee. As Walker fell to the floor, his friend ran past him and tried to grab the assailant, who retreated backwards and shot the friend twice. The assailant then shot Walker three more times before he moved toward the bowling lanes and kept shooting, killing five more people and wounding another three. He then drove to a bar and killed 10 more people and wounded another 10. Walker and his friend were pronounced dead at the bowling alley. After an extensive manhunt, the assailant was found dead two days later.
2023-0000132-10524Obituary
Jason Adam Walker, 51, of Sabattus unexpectedly passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023 while trying to protect others at Just In Time Recreation in Lewiston ME. He was the husband of Kathleen L. (Mercier) Walker.
He was born on December 4, 1971, in Lewiston, ME a son of John W. and Diane (Lajoie) Walker of Sabattus ME. Jason grew up in Sabattus, ME attending local area schools and graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1990. After high school he joined the Maine National Guard.
He spent most of his working career in the building trade doing things such as construction, siding, and driving tractor trailers. He was a member of the Sabattus Historical Society serving as the videographer and editor for oral histories.
He was an avid bowler and was a league member at Just-in-Time Recreation. This was just one of the many things Jason dabbled in and tried to perfect. Jason also enjoyed vegetable gardening, creating educational You Tube videos, preserving seed and harvest, making homemade sausage with his best friend Michael Deslauriers II, and baking sourdough bread. He would research and self-teach on many topics such as religion, vehicle repair, building, and so much more.
Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by his two sons Collin James and Jonathan Adam Walker both of Sabattus. He also leaves three siblings, John Jay Walker of Fayette, ME, Jill A. Walker of Bar Harbor, ME and Julie Lynn Branagan of Winthrop, ME as well as several nieces and nephews.
Jason was a selfless and giving friend and helped out others whether physically, spiritually, or financially, whenever needed. Jason was highly protective of his wife and his children and tasked himself with ensuring all were taken care of for life’s major needs.