Springfield police identify man killed in claimed self-defense

A man was killed in an early morning shooting in the 1700 block of Maiden Lane Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY BUCK CREEK PHOTOGRAPHY

A man was killed in an early morning shooting in the 1700 block of Maiden Lane Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY BUCK CREEK PHOTOGRAPHY

A 28-year-old Springfield man was the person shot and killed Friday morning in what the person who called 911 said was self-defense.

At around 12:56 a.m., police responded to the reported shooting in the 1700 block of Maiden Lane, where they found Anthony Walker Jr. with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a news release. Medics who responded to the scene pronounced Walker dead.

“Preliminary investigation indicates this appears to be an isolated incident, and investigators believe there are no additional threats to the public at this time,” police said in the news release.

A man who called 911 told a dispatcher that while at his ex’s house, her ex came over and banged on the doors before entering and asking where his gun was. He allegedly threatened the caller then assaulted him and the homeowner and pulled out a gun, at which point the caller pulled out his own gun. The ex-boyfriend fired a shot, which missed, at which point the caller said he fired his own gun and shot the victim.

Police are still investigating the shooting. Anyone with information, including video footage, should call the Springfield Police Division at 937-324-7716.

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