Man sentenced to 50 years for shooting ex-wife’s boyfriend at Sky Zone in Timonium

Natalie Jones | The Baltimore Sun | August 26, 2025 | Original Source

The man who fatally shot his ex-wife’s boyfriend at the Sky Zone trampoline park in Timonium two years ago was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison.

Baltimore County Circuit Judge Nancy Purpura imposed a sentence of life in prison for 32-year-old Quinton Walker, suspending all but 50 years behind bars. Walker, who lived in Colorado before his arrest in August 2023, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in June for the shooting death of Marcus Whitehead.

Considering how many people were in Sky Zone’s facility that Saturday evening and the number of shots fired, it was a “miracle” that someone else wasn’t killed, Purpura said at Walker’s sentencing.

Baltimore County Police responded to the Sky Zone facility on West Aylesbury Road shortly after 7 p.m. Aug. 12, 2023, for a shooting. Whitehead, 32, was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center with multiple gunshot wounds, where he was later pronounced dead.

Prosecutor Katherine Turnbull had argued that every step Walker made that day was a “conscious decision” and that the facts did not point to Walker experiencing mental illness. She requested a 60-year sentence.

“They all felt safe until they didn’t,” Turnbull said of other people at Sky Zone that evening.

Defense attorney Joe Pappafotis requested a sentence of less than 60 years, saying Walker felt “genuine remorse.”

“This is a case where there are no winners, only losers,” he said.

Walker’s sentencing came exactly two years after Whitehead was buried, his mother said. Through tears, she recounted her son’s life, the call she received from a surgeon telling her that Whitehead had died, and the physical and mental toll her son’s death had taken on her.

“Life has fundamentally changed since Marcus’ passing,” she said, her voice shaking.

Walker’s ex-wife, Latoya Walker, who goes by Latoya Ball, said in court Tuesday that the day Whitehead died was the “worst day” of her life. Her daughter has blamed herself for Walker’s “selfish decision,” she said.

“How could you hug my child knowing you had a loaded gun on you?” Ball said.

Speaking in court Tuesday, Walker said he stood as a “changed man,” apologizing to Whitehead’s family, his own family and patrons at Sky Zone.

In charging documents, Ball told detectives that she had arranged for Walker to see his daughter at Sky Zone. After greeting his daughter, Walker saw Whitehead. The two men briefly spoke, then Ball saw Whitehead walk toward Walker. Walker pulled a gun from his waistband and fired at Whitehead multiple times, according to the documents.

Walker left the trampoline park after the shooting. Shortly after, he called 911, identifying himself as “Quinton,” according to charging documents, and said he wanted to turn himself in for the shooting.

Walker told police that he had flown to Maryland that day to see his child and, after greeting her, noticed Whitehead staring at him. Walker said he asked Whitehead if he wanted to talk outside, and that Whitehead told him not to come near him.

Whitehead had threatened to slap Walker, charging documents said. At some point, Whitehead walked toward Walker, who then pulled out his gun and fired. Walker left the facility, driving a rented U-Haul, and said he wanted to return it before turning himself in.