Salisbury Man Gets Life for Killing His Father

Wicomico County, MD - Ja'Bril Walters, 33, of Salisbury, Maryland, will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his father. On September 18, 2026, Judge S. James Sarbanes sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole.

Walters was convicted after a four-day jury trial. Jurors found him guilty of first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and altering physical evidence.

The crime happened in the early morning hours of February 22, 2025.

Walters shot and killed his father at their Salisbury apartment.

Investigators say the shooting followed a Facebook message. At 3:58 that morning, Walters' father told him to pay his share of the rent and other expenses or move out.

Walters responded by firing seven shots at his father. Every round hit him, and he died at the scene.

Family members found him hours later after calling police for a welfare check. Walters was not supposed to have a gun in the first place because of his past criminal record.

After the shooting, Walters left the apartment and then left the area entirely. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit picked up his trail and followed it to North Carolina, then to Maine.

He was arrested in Maine in July of 2025. Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie L. Dykes weighed in after the sentencing.

"The taking of a life is a sinister crime, and even more so when a son murders their own father in cold blood," Dykes said. "The Court's strong sentence ensures that this Defendant will be imprisoned for the remainder of his life where he can no longer harm others in our community."

Dykes credited the officers who worked the case. Sergeant J. Meier of the Maryland State Police and Detective D. Fairman of the Salisbury Police Department led the investigation.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Michael Calabrese and Deputy State's Attorney D. Scott Messersmith prosecuted the case. Dykes thanked all of the agencies involved in tracking Walters down and bringing him to justice.