Arrest in death of Black Iowa woman called racial slur before being fatally stabbed in dispute with white man

Law enforcement officials in Cedar Rapids announce arrest in the fatal stabbing of Devonna Walker.
Devonna Walker
Devonna Walker. Photo courtesy of Advocates for Social Justice

The Linn County Attorney’s Office on Monday, Feb. 27, authorized criminal charges against Shane Teslik, age 37, related to the stabbing death of Devonna Walker on Jan. 2, at 2135 North Towne Court NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Teslik, 37, was arrested Monday in another county in Iowa on a Linn County warrant for the crimes of Voluntary Manslaughter and Disorderly Conduct, officials said.

Walker, 29, a mother of three, was stabbed on Jan. 2, and called a racial slur during the dispute. The neighbors had clashed before, according to a GoFundMe account set up to benefit Walker’s children. Her murder was captured on bystander cell phone video. (Viewer discretion is advised).

Advocates for Social Justice have held several marches and worked to push for charges to be filed in the case.

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