U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Captures Suspect Charged with Shooting an Occupied Vehicle with an Assault Rifle

Gainesville, FL - The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Bricen Bowden tonight at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot located at 15910 NW 144th Terrace in the city of Alachua. Bowden was wanted by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office on an outstanding arrest warrant for (1) shooting into an occupied vehicle, (2) possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, (3) aggravated assault, and (4) discharging a firearm in public. Bowden's warrant was issued following an investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office into a daytime shooting on 12/5/13 near Mayo where Bowden is suspected of firing an AK-47 style assault rifle into a vehicle occupied by three people. Bowden was released from state prison in July 2013.

Through investigation, Task Force members determined Bowden had fled to Alachua County after the shooting and later developed information that Bowden was hiding with friends near the city of Alachua in an attempt to avoid arrest. This afternoon, Task Force members - including investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, and the Gainesville Police Department - initiated surveillance and spotted a vehicle occupied by several people including Bowden. Task Force members along with an Alachua County K-9 unit stopped the vehicle and ordered Bowden out at gunpoint. Bowden was placed under arrest on his outstanding warrant and booked into the Alachua County Jail.

U.S. Marshal Ed Spooner of the Northern District of Florida stated that the arrest of Bricen Bowden highlights the great cooperation between the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and local law enforcement agencies, including the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department, which leads to the apprehension of fugitives wanted for violent crimes.