Man killed in South Natomas backyard assault identified; suspect to be arraigned

A man was killed Monday morning in a South Natomas backyard, and Sacramento police arrested a 25-year-old suspect at the scene.

Officers responded shortly after 8 a.m. to a reported assault in the backyard of a home in the 3100 block of Wiese Way. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police spokesperson Officer Allison Smith.

The man appeared to have suffered injuries from a “hard object,” not a gun or knife, Smith said. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office later identified the victim as Bryon Henry Walton Jones, 30.

Officers detained an adult male suspect, later identified as Hadrian Lavell Walker, 25.

According to a March 2024 statement from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Walker was arrested at that time on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms and counterfeit fentanyl “M30” tablets.

The Sheriff’s Office said Walker, known by the nickname “Patches,” was “a convicted felon and a Varrio Northgate Norteno gang member.” He was scheduled for arraignment on those charges in July after failing to appear in court three times, Sacramento Superior Court records show.

Walker remains held without bail in the Sacramento County Main Jail. He will appear in court Wednesday to face a murder charge related to Monday’s killing. Jail records show he also has a pending felony case on suspicion of elder abuse and assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury.

Further details about the assault and Walker’s criminal history have not been released.

Police are urging anyone with information to call 916-808-5471. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM.