Fort Wayne man sentenced to 45 years in prison in fatal 2021 Valentine’s Day shooting

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A 33-year-old Fort Wayne man who pleaded guilty to murder in connection to the fatal 2021 shooting of his girlfriend was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday.

Tykwan Walker pleaded guilty to murder last month in connection to the Valentine’s Day 2021 shooting of 37-year-old Heather Hobbs. She was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the head in her apartment, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Fort Wayne Police Detective Jeffery Marsee.

Police learned throughout the investigation that Hobbs and Walker’s relationship had a history of domestic violence.

Witnesses told police Hobbs had injuries she said were from Walker hitting her, court records show. Hobbs was treated for a forehead laceration and a broken nose during an emergency room visit a few weeks before her death.

“If I die, it was [Walker] that did it,” Hobbs texted a friend six months before her death.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors said they would not typically offer a 45-year sentence in a plea deal but did in this instance with Hobbs’ family’s approval.

Hobbs’ family described her as a “one-of-a-kind” woman. They said she was a dedicated healthcare worker, a loving mother and a dependable friend.

Several people shared they have experienced mental and physical health issues as a result of losing Hobbs. They expressed disdain for Walker and his actions following Hobbs’ murder, adding that because of his actions, Hobbs has and will miss out on many life events for her children and grandchildren.

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