A federal jury has found Emarjai Walker, 29, of Plant City, guilty of interference with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a violent felony. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Walker could face up to life in federal prison.
Testimony and evidence presented during the trial showed that on April 5, 2020, just before midnight, Walker robbed a gas station at 2911 James Redman Parkway in Plant City. After demanding the clerk open the register, Walker shot the clerk in the face. While the victim was on the floor bleeding, Walker fired a second shot that narrowly missed the clerk’s head. He then fled the scene, leaving the clerk behind. A customer discovered the injured clerk about ten minutes later.
Despite being disguised and masked during the incident, Walker was identified by the victim from his hospital bed days later due to his familiarity with Walker’s mannerisms from previous visits to the store. Investigators also learned that after the shooting, Walker researched media coverage of the event and attempted to sell a .38 handgun.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: Plant City Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim Preston and Brooke Padgett are prosecuting the case.
According to authorities, this prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national effort led by the Department of Justice aiming to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime. The initiative coordinates resources from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
