Always by each other’s side, they were the kind of friends who could finish each other’s sentences and provide unwavering support through family troubles and early heartbreaks.

“Q (Walker) was such a brilliant person, he positively affected everyone. He was on the varsity football team and had a high GPA. Q has always been there for me, especially during the hard times. I was always pushing myself to be better … He was my big brother,” Lindbloom said.

But the unshakable foundation of their friendship was shattered on the evening of September 30, when a heated argument between the teenagers erupted into violence.

“The kid we came to fight was shot by another kid and we immediately fell to the ground. I saw Q (Walker) run out the door and then I saw Q get shot six times and I saw him hit the ground,” Lindbloom said.

The screams of rage that had once filled the air were quickly silenced by the sharp crack of gunfire, leaving only an eerie silence in its wake. The world was silent for a moment; the echo of gunshots rang in Lindbloom’s ears.

With adrenaline pushing Lindbloom forward, he rushed to his best friend, who told him to “run for his life.” Lindbloom said he was torn for a split second before he decided to run and call police for help.

“At this point, I didn’t know if he died up there or if I called the police in time for the ambulance to get there,” Lindbloom said.

As the night wore on, Lindbloom said he could feel his world slowly unraveling. Walker and two other children were immediately transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the shooting.

Lindbloom, along with his family, rushed to the hospital, where they could see Walker being wheeled into the surgical wing. Walker asked the staff to wait just a moment – just one moment with his brother.

Lindbloom said that despite the fact that Walker was covered in blood and his complexion was growing paler, he still wore his trademark smile. Walker provided a sense of unwavering confidence and courage that Lindbloom could only describe as unforgettable.

“Q has always worn this chain around his neck. Wherever he went, he had her on him. When he pulled me over, he took his chain and gave it to me. He just smiled and said he’d see me in a few hours,” Lindbloom said.

This would be the last time Lindbloom would see his older brother alive. Walker’s injuries were too severe and he bled out on the operating table.

Walker’s tragic story was not an isolated incident. He was, unfortunately, one of many young people caught in the crossfire of the growing violence in Rapid City. From petty theft and vandalism to aggravated assault and gun violence, the rise in youth crime casts a long shadow over the community, leaving residents fearful and demanding answers.

In the face of this growing crisis, a local nonprofit called I Am Legacy stepped forward, determined to break the cycle of violence. Recognizing the urgent need for action, they led a conference on October 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 create a united front against the rising tide of juvenile crime.

Bringswhite started I Am Legacy as a nonprofit six years ago, but said he’s 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 young people are dying now and they need to know that someone cares. They need to know we can help them before it’s too late,” Bringswhite said.

Bringswhite overcame a difficult past, including gang involvement 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 youth facing similar challenges find healing and a new path forward.

“We want to form a coalition of people who are looking for change. This is not 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 grateful for groups like I Am Legacy and looks forward to working with them to end this cycle of violence.

“Our community is in great need of mentors, especially our at-risk youth population. There is plenty of room for more people to come to the table and the police department will never be able to solve all of society’s problems by themselves. That’s why we need strong partners who are willing to help us,” said Hedrick.

The department could not provide information on how many arrests or reports there were for juveniles. According to Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office case files, there were a total of 993 juvenile cases in 2021, 196 of which were felonies and 797 were misdemeanors. In 2022, the office saw an increase of 1,291 cases, with 334 misdemeanors and 956 misdemeanors.

The State Prosecutor’s Office registered a decrease in 2023, with only 891 cases for minors; no details were provided on how many felonies and misdemeanors occurred. The state’s juvenile diversion programs, such as Teen Court and Truancy Court, helped 669 youth avoid the justice system by providing support and supervision.

Statistics for 2024 are still being drawn up and will not be published until January next year.

From Walker’s case to the recent shooting of a young man Wednesday morning in Rapid City, Hedrick acknowledged that any amount of violence within the youth community is cause for concern.

“Any amount of violence involving young people is too much. Anything we can do to try to get to kids before they raise their stakes where violence is being committed (is worth it),” Hedrick said.

While no statistics could be provided on how many gang-related crimes there are in Rapid City, Hedrick said the problem is not uncommon in the area and is constantly monitored by the department.

“I can’t speak to an increase, but I can say it’s something that’s been in the background and it’s been present,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick said many cases of youth violence are due to unstable homes or a lack of mentoring from adults. Whether it’s a gang or the child’s background, Hedrick said the department works diligently to keep kids from going down the wrong path.

“What we find is that young people who don’t have good mentorship often turn to a criminal lifestyle, and we try to introduce our partners to help keep them on track,” Hedrick said.

One way the Rapid City Police Department helps at-risk youth is through the RCPD Community Engagement Team, which connects with youth and their families through law enforcement referrals and neighborhood outreach experience high levels of violence. The team provides mentoring and helps families with the services they need. They often work with families who have experienced repeated trauma and need therapeutic assistance.

RCPD Community Violence Interruption Project Manager Jamie Kirsch said they partnered with Journey On, a nonprofit organization that helps people experiencing trauma from homelessness or loss to suicide in Rapid City, to form the Safe Passage program.

This program employs individuals to spend time in school zones before and after school hours to reach out to at-risk children and help them through mentoring and programs. Kirsch said the program has so far reached more than 1,000 youth in September and provided support for 14 families.

Kirsch said youth violence is a critical issue that cannot be addressed by just one entity; to achieve results, it must be a collaborative effort between the community, law enforcement and local leadership.

Bringswhite, of I Am Legacy, said he will host community meetings each month to help promote ideas and initiatives to end this growing concern.

Urged by fellow gang members and rivals to avenge Walker’s death, Lindbloom refuses to dishonor his older brother’s legacy with more violence.

“Q was constantly telling me, ‘When I die, I don’t want there to be anger and hurt.’ I want there to be happiness and joy in the way I have lived my life. Everyone needs to listen to Q’s words because Q would never want any of us to hurt each other,” Lindbloom said. “Revenge will only cause more pain.”

Among the many members of 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 young people to join I Am Legacy. Lindbloom said he wanted to break away from his family’s tradition of joining a gang. Together, the sibling duo had spent their time learning the importance of helping their community and striving to make a difference.

Now with Walker’s death, Lindbloom said she wants to spend the rest of her life honoring her brother’s memory and becoming a good role model for Walker’s two children.

“With Q gone, it’s up to me to make sure his babies remember how great 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 that Walker’s legacy will cause future generations to seek the help they deserve.