Man Shoots, Wounds Son Who Begged to Be Killed : Confrontation: James Christopher Walker, wearing a dress, pushed into his parents’ home and hit his sister.

A father shot and wounded his dress-wearing son Wednesday after the son pushed open the door to his parents’ home, hit his sister and pleaded with his family to kill him.

James Christopher Walker, 37, of Alhambra was treated and released Wednesday from Los Robles Regional Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the left side of his head. He was arrested on one count of threat of a crime and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail, authorities said.

His father, James Walker, 61, complained of chest pains after the 1:15 p.m. incident but was treated and released Wednesday afternoon from Westlake Medical Center. The elder Walker, who underwent open-heart surgery in March, was not charged for firing two shots from a handgun, one of them striking his son.

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies, who provide law enforcement for Newbury Park, said the younger Walker threatened to kill his family, but his mother said later in an interview that it was her son who wanted to be harmed.

“My son begged to be killed,” said Debra Walker, 60. “He said he had nothing to live for. . . . He’s crying for help. He’s not himself.”

On Christmas Eve, the elder Walker had his son arrested for trespassing when his son refused to leave the family home in the 700 block of Oak Shadow View Place, according to deputies.

The son, who was wearing a dress at the time of that arrest, was released from custody about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and took a taxi back to his parents’ home.

“When I saw him that way, I said if this is the path you pick, you can answer for yourself,” Debra Walker said. “I don’t like it, but I still love him.”

“I had a wonderful, wonderful son,” she said. “He was so considerate. He was always a very kind, gentle, loving son and never hurt any of us.”

Debra Walker said her son has experienced a string of personal and financial setbacks in the past two years. The younger Walker first lost his hair-styling salon and his home and then his fiancee broke off their engagement, and six months ago he had to accept the institutionalization of his elderly grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. To add to the disappointments, Debra Walker said, her son’s car and dog were stolen in the past week.

“It was too much for him to cope with, losing everything,” she said. “Some of us can and some of us can’t cope.”

About two weeks ago, James Christopher Walker began showing up at his parents’ home in dresses, asking them twice to kill him, his mother said.

After a doctor recently diagnosed her son as having a “chemical imbalance” and recommended medical and psychological help, Debra Walker said she approached several mental health organizations in Ventura County, but no one would provide assistance.

“For two weeks, every door that I’ve tried to open has been slammed in my face,” said Debra Walker, who was being counseled by her pastor Wednesday night. “Somebody has to die for someone to do something. No one will help. They say he has to walk in himself.”

“He needs help. Our system is nowhere,” she said. “I’m asking for help. I just want a healthy son with a healthy mind. If anyone knows someone who will help, I need to know.”

When her son appeared Wednesday at her home, Debra Walker said she tried to get him to leave by offering to drive him home. As she searched for her car keys, she said he came through the door, wanting to talk with his father.

“I said, ‘Please, let’s go. Your dad doesn’t want you here.’ He kept banging on the door and pushed it open and came in the house,” she said, adding that her son punched his adult sister, who was visiting her parents at the time.

Neighbors said they had previously seen police at the Walkers’ house in the small cul-de-sac.

Resident Pat Birckhead said the Walkers were pleasant neighbors.

“They seem very nice, friendly people--always had a nice word to say to everyone,” Birckhead said. “I just think it’s really unfortunate that a family had to go through all that.”

Times correspondent David R. Baker contributed to this story.