Innocence lost: One boy’s struggle with loss and Rapid City’s fight for change
Mckinnon Lindbloom, 17, and Marquise Walker, 18, were more than just friends – they were brothers in every sense but blood. Their bond, forged in the second-grade classroom, had endured countless scraped knees, shared dreams and the turbulent tides of adolescence.
Always side by side, they were the kind of friends who could finish each other's sentences and offered unwavering support through family troubles and first heartbreaks.
"Q (Walker) was such a bright person, he positively affected everybody. He was on the varsity football team and had a high GPA. Q was always there for me, especially during hard times. He always pushed me to be better... He was my big brother," Lindbloom said.
But the unshakeable foundation of their friendship was shattered on the evening of Sept. 30, when a heated argument between teenagers erupted into violence.
"The kid we came to fight was shot by another kid, and I immediately took to the ground. I saw Q (Walker) running out the door and then I watched Q get shot six times and I watched him hit the ground," Lindbloom said.
The screams of anger that had once filled the air were quickly silenced by the sharp crack of gunfire, leaving only a chilling silence in its wake. The world went silent for a moment; the echo of the gunshots rang in Lindbloom's ears.
With adrenaline pushing Lindbloom forward, he rushed to his best friend's side who had told him to "run for his life." Lindbloom said he was torn for a split second before he decided to run and call the police for help.
"At this point I didn't know whether he passed away up there or if I called the cops in time for the ambulance to get there," Lindbloom said.
As the night progressed, Lindbloom said he could feel his world slowly unraveling. Walker and two other kids were immediately transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the shooting.
Lindbloom, along with his family, rushed to the hospital where he could see Walker being wheeled into the surgical wing. Walker requested the staff wait for only a moment – a single moment with his brother.
Lindbloom said despite Walker being covered in blood and his complexion becoming more pale by the second, he still wore his iconic smile. Walker provided a sense of confidence and unwavering bravery that Lindbloom could only describe as something unforgettable.
"Q always wore this chain around his neck. Wherever he went he would have it on. When he pulled me over he took his chain off and gave it to me. He just smiled and said he'll see me in a few hours," Lindbloom said.
That would be the last moment Lindbloom would see his big brother alive. Walker's wounds were too severe, and he bled out on the operating table.
A rising concern
Walker's tragic story wasn't an isolated incident. He was, sadly, one of many young people caught in the crossfire of Rapid City's escalating youth violence. From petty theft and vandalism to aggravated assault and gun violence, the surge in youth offenses casts a long shadow over the community, leaving residents fearful and demanding answers.
In the face of this growing crisis, a local nonprofit organization called I Am Legacy stepped forward, determined to break the cycle of violence. Recognizing the urgent need for action, they spearheaded a conference on Oct. 29 to bring together community leaders, educators, law enforcement and social service providers.
I Am Legacy Founder and Chief Visionary Erik Bringswhite said the nonprofit's goal is clear: to openly acknowledge the pervasive influence of gangs on Rapid City's youth and to forge a united front against the rising tide of juvenile crime.
Bringswhite started I Am Legacy as a nonprofit six years ago, but said he has been fighting for the community for 16 years – his goal being to unite the Rapid City area for everyone regardless of race, gender or social class.
"Our youth are passing away now and they need to know someone cares. They need to know we can help them before it's too late," Bringswhite said.
Bringswhite overcame a difficult past, including involvement with gangs and incarceration, to become a source of hope for others. He worked in foster care and juvenile justice, where he used his experiences to help young people facing similar challenges find healing and a new path forward.
"We want to form a coalition of people who are seeking change. This isn't just a north side issue, this is a Rapid City issue and we need to come together as a united front for our youth," Bringswhite said.
Rapid City Police Chief Don Hedrick said he is thankful for groups such as I Am Legacy and looks forward to partnering with them to end this cycle of violence.
"Our community has a great need for mentors, particularly our at-risk youth population. There's a lot of room for more folks to come to the table and the police department is never going to be able to solve all of society's issues on our own. That's why we need strong partners that are willing to help us," Hedrick said.
The department was unable to provide information on how many arrests or reports there have been for juveniles. According to the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office case records, in 2021 there were a total of 993 juvenile cases, 196 of them were felonies and 797 were misdemeanors. In 2022, the office saw an increase of 1,291 cases, with 334 felonies and 956 misdemeanors.
The State's Attorney's Office did see a decrease in 2023, with only 891 juvenile case filings; specifics on how many felonies and misdemeanors occurred were not provided. The state's juvenile diversion programs, like Teen Court and Truancy Court, helped 669 youth avoid the justice system by providing support and supervision.
Statistics in regard to 2024 are still being compiled and won't be published until January of next year.
From Walker's case to the recent shooting of a juvenile male on Wednesday morning in Rapid City, Hedrick acknowledged that any amount of violence within the young community is a rise for concern.
"Any amount of violence involving youth is too much. Anything we can do to try to reach kids before they elevate their actions to where violence is being committed (is worthwhile)," Hedrick said.
Though statistics on how much gang-related crime is in Rapid City couldn't be provided, Hedrick said the issue is not uncommon in the area and is constantly being monitored by the department.
"I can't speak to a rise, but I can say it's something that's been in the background and been present," Hedrick said.
Hedrick said many youth violence cases are due to unstable homes or lack of mentorship from adults. Whether it be through a gang or from the child's environment, Hedrick said the department is working diligently to prevent kids from walking down the wrong path.
"What we find is youth who don't have good mentorship often turn to a criminal type of lifestyle and we're trying to introduce our partners to help keep (them) on the right track," Hedrick said.
One way the Rapid City Police Department helps at-risk youth is through the RCPD Community Engagement Team, which connects with young people and their families through recommendations from law enforcement and by reaching out in neighborhoods experiencing high levels of violence. The team offers mentorship and helps connect families with the services they need. They often work with families who have experienced repeated trauma and require therapeutic assistance.
RCPD Community Violence Interruption Project Manager Jamie Kirsch said they have partnered with Journey On, a nonprofit that assist individuals experiencing trauma due to homelessness or suicide loss in Rapid City, to form the Safe Passage program.
That program employs individuals to spend time at school zones before and after school hours to touch base with at-risk kids and assist them through mentorships and programs. Kirsch said the program has so far reached more than 1,000 youth as of September and supplied support to 14 families.
Kirsch said youth violence is a critical issue that cannot just be tackled by one entity; to get results, it has to be a collaborative effort between the community, law enforcement and local leadership.
Bringswhite, of I Am Legacy, said they will be hosting community meetings every month to help foster ideas and initiatives to end this rising concern.
A big brother's legacy
Egged on by peers and rivals who are in gangs to get vengeance for Walker's death, Lindbloom refuses to dishonor his big brother's legacy with more violence.
"Q would constantly tell me 'When I pass away I don't want there to be anger and hurt. I want there to be happiness and joy for how I lived my life.' Everybody needs to listen to Q's words because Q would never want any of us hurting each other," Lindbloom said. "Revenge will do nothing but cause more pain."
Among the many members in I Am Legacy, Lindbloom can be found mentoring other youth about the importance of seeking help and not contributing to the cycle of crime.
Lindbloom and Walker were some of the first youth to join I Am Legacy. Lindbloom said he wanted to break away from his family's tradition of joining a gang. Together the brother duo had spent their time learning the importance of helping their community and striving to make a change.
Now with Walker's death, Lindbloom said he wants to spend the rest of his life honoring his brother's memory and becoming a good role model for Walker's two children.
"With Q gone, it's on me to make sure his babies remember how great of a guy he was and to follow the right path," Lindbloom said.
As Lindbloom's fingers trace the gold chain Walker left behind for him, he smiles knowing Walker's legacy will lead to future generations seeking the help they deserve.
You can contact Madison at
Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Public Safety/Courts Reporter
