Jardyn ‘Pee Wee’ Walker, a contestant on the reality dating show Two Ways with Erica Mena, was shot dead in St. Louis at the age of 23. Authorities discovered Walker’s body in an alley on January 22, 2026, after a search was launched when he failed to meet his sister for a scheduled ride home.
Walker was last seen working as a delivery driver on the evening of January 21. When he did not arrive at the Amazon Hazelwood facility to pick up his sister, she reported him missing to the local police. Utilizing cell phone tracking, officers located Walker’s last known location, leading them to the alley where they found him deceased from multiple gunshot wounds.
Suspect Arrested and Charged
The St. Louis police arrested Jamaal Lamonte Jones, 27, on suspicion of first-degree murder, felony evidence tampering, and armed criminal action. Police reports indicate that Jones was found in a vehicle with an assault rifle at the time of his arrest.
According to police spokesman Mitch McCoy, law enforcement responded to the report of Walker’s disappearance at approximately 01:00 on January 22. Prior to the discovery of Walker’s body, officers had received reports of shots fired in the vicinity around 20:45 the previous evening. After the gunfire was reported, police encountered a vehicle speeding away from the area, leading to Jones’s apprehension roughly half a mile from the scene.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers reportedly found shell casings in Jones’s pocket and an assault rifle positioned between his legs. Court documents reveal that Jones admitted to firing the weapon and claimed he acted out of fear for his life, although details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Community Reaction and Tributes
Local resident Roxane Maurer expressed her shock at the violence, noting that she had always considered her neighborhood safe. She described witnessing emergency responders during the incident, stating, “I’ve lived in my current house for 11 years and I have never had anything happen to me.”
In the aftermath of Walker’s tragic death, tributes poured in from his friends and colleagues. Erica Mena, the show’s host, shared her grief on social media, stating she was “crushed” and offered condolences to Walker’s family. Fellow contestant Celina Powell described him as a bright presence on the show, saying, “Peewee was genuinely such a light on the show, kept everyone laughing.”
The investigation into Walker’s death continues as the St. Louis community grapples with the loss of a young life taken too soon. The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and safety in urban areas, prompting calls for greater attention to the underlying issues.
