U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Murder Suspect in North Carolina

Fatal shooting occurred one week ago in Williamsport

Williamsport, PA – United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Rashawn Williams in High Point, North Carolina.

Williams was being sought for a homicide that occurred in Williamsport on June 1, 2014. It is alleged that Williams shot the victim outside the Lamphouse Hookah Lounge in the 400 block of West Third Street. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he died from a single gunshot wound to the upper chest area. On June 1, an arrest warrant was issued by Magisterial District Judge James Carn, charging Williams with:

    Criminal Homicide

    Aggravated assault – 2 counts

    Firearms not to be carried without a license

    Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms

    Possessing instruments of crime

    Simple assault

    Terroristic threats

At the request of the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania adopted the case and began investigating the whereabouts of Williams. U.S. Marshals developed information indicating that Williams fled to North Carolina. An investigative lead was sent U.S. Marshals based in the Middle District of North Carolina.

On June 6, USMS personnel and task force officers located Williams in the town of High Point, North Carolina. Williams attempted to elude capture by jumping out a window and fleeing on foot. A police K9 was engaged to control Williams. The fugitive was arrested after receiving minor wounds as a result of the struggle. Williams was taken to an area hospital for treatment, and then turned over to local authorities for processing and court proceedings concerning his extradition to Pennsylvania.

United States Marshal Pane stated, “The coordination and cooperation demonstrated by law enforcement in this case ensured that an extremely dangerous and unpredictable murder fugitive was taken off the streets. It is our top priority to arrest violent offenders, especially those who have no regard for human life. It is my hope that the victim’s family will find some measure of comfort knowing that the alleged attacker has been brought to justice.”

Assistant Chief Timothy Miller, Williamsport Bureau of Police, stated, “The capture of this suspect by U.S. Marshals is a testament of the strong bond that exists within our law enforcement community. The coordination between the Williamsport Bureau of Police-Criminal Investigations Division and the U.S. Marshals Service sends a strong message that fugitives will be pursued not only in the city of Williamsport, but beyond state lines as well.”

U.S. Marshals worked jointly in this investigation with personnel from the Williamsport Bureau of Police and the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office. These agencies are participating members of the USMS Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force. Additional assistance was provided by US Marshals and their task force partners in the Middle District of North Carolina.

The concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the nation’s most dangerous offenders.