Police shoot dead Tafari Walton on bail who stabbed ex to death

Convicted criminal Tafari Walton, who stabbed his ex-partner to death in a jealous rage before being shot dead by police, was released on bail less than two months ago.

A convicted criminal who stabbed his ex-partner to death in a jealous rage before being shot dead by police was released on bail less than two months ago.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal Tafari Walton, 21, was infuriated by suspicion his former partner Gabriella Thompson, 27, had been seeing another man when he attacked her on Wednesday while he was on a four-day drug bender.

Walton stabbed the mother of his baby daughter several times in the head, under each armpit and left cuts on her neck, inside her Glendale home, near Newcastle, at 10.30pm Wednesday.

His own mother and stepfather arrived to find Ms Thompson bleeding to death, while he fled in her car.

Police shot wanted man Tafari Walton this morning.

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Ms Thompson died on the way to hospital.

Walton led police on a 22-hour crime wave through greater Newcastle, first breaking into a home in nearby Cardiff that afternoon and leaving empty handed.

At around 2am Thursday he arrived at home in Dudley — 15km from the murder scene — where he threaten people he knew with a knife and carjacked a vehicle.

He then stole another car from a woman in the suburb of Wallsend at 5am, after which police race to the area, spotting her car and pursuing Walton.

At 8.30am Walton confronted an elderly woman as she drove into her garage in Bell St, Glendale, demanding the car keys and saying he needed to see his mother.

Walton then drove to his mother’s home and police arrived soon after.

Officers approached Walton in the back yard and tried unsuccessfully to subdue him with capsicum spray.

Assistant commissioner Max Mitchell said officers had no option but to kill him.

“He came at police with a 10cm folded hunting knife and lunged towards police,” assistant commissioner Mitchell said.

Gabriella Thompson was murdered in her Glendale home the day before her partner was shot dead by police.

“Due to his actions, police had no other alternative from my preliminary information but to unfortunately fatally shoot the attacking person.

“I believe our officers acted professionally and they a have my full support. It is unfortunate, very unfortunate, no police officer wants to be involved in these type of incidents but unfortunately our job is also about protecting the wider community.”

Walton grew up in Glendale, attending Glendale East Public school, before his life was derailed, friends say, by drugs and crime.

In 2015 he was involved in an attempted armed robbery at The Iron Horse Inn at Cardiff and the following year he caused a dramatic siege at his mother’s home, the same address where he died on Thursday.

Walton put a gun in his mouth as police surrounded the property for several hours and he eventually gave up.

Walton was sentenced to two years and six months jail for a string of charges in the Newcastle District Court in October 2017.

Family and friends arrive at the shooting scene in Glendale. Picture by Peter Lorimer

The scene of the shooting in Glendale this morning. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Forensics arrive at the scene of the shooting in Glendale. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

While in jail he was also charged with affray and wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm meaning he was denied release in December, at the end of his non-parole period.

But on January 23, a magistrate did grant Walton bail in Kempsey Local Court on the condition he “be of good behaviour” and report to police in Newcastle every day. He also had to report Community Corrections because he remained on parole for his original jail sentence.

Walton’s mother Susan Walton told The Daily Telegraph: “Why did police have to kill my son? I’m too upset to speak about it.”

Friends of Gabriella, a florist at Belflora flower market in Newcastle, said she lived in fear of her violent ex-partner.

The brother of the man shot arrives at the scene of the shooting in Glendale. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

A woman is dead after a stabbing near Newcastle. Picture: Daniel Irwin

Emergency crews were called to a house on Stephens Avenue, Glendale, about 11.30am. Picture: Daniel Irwin

“She had started a new relationship during his time inside and she was terrified he would find out and take it out on her,” the friend, who asked to be named, said.

“Gabby was scared of him and didn’t want to see him but she’s so sweet and kind and gentle she found it hard to say no when he asked to see their daughter.”

A gofundme page was today set up in memory of Ms Thompson which read: “On Wednesday the 13th March we lost our beautiful Gabby to DV who has left behind a beautiful daughter who also lost her father in this tragic incident.

Paramedics took the woman to John Hunter Hospital but they were unable to save her. Picture: Daniel Irwin

Forensic crews swamped the street yesterday. Picture: Daniel Irwin

“She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, Aunty and dear friend to so many.

“As I write this today with a heavy heart and face full of tears I want to help with any financial burden for Gabs family and make sure she has the best possible send-off she deserves.

“You will be missed and forever in our hearts fly high with the angels babygirl, Love you always.”

Police are conducting a critical incident investigation, with Homicide Detectives looking at both deaths.

Originally published as Police shoot dead Tafari Walton on bail who stabbed ex to death