A 22-year-old Philadelphia man accused of chasing and threatening pedestrians while wearing a cracked doll-style mask has been arrested in Las Vegas. Zymire Hughes was taken into custody after a multi-state search by federal marshals and Nevada authorities. Investigators say surveillance footage helped them locate him at a southeast Las Vegas apartment complex. Hughes is being held in Clark County while Pennsylvania authorities seek his extradition.

The allegations stem from a series of early-morning confrontations near Philadelphia City Hall on Aug. 12. Police say the suspect approached multiple people, recorded the encounters on a cellphone and appeared to imply that he had a weapon.

Alleged Philadelphia confrontations

Philadelphia police began looking for Hughes after reported encounters near City Hall during the early morning hours of Aug. 12. Authorities allege that he approached, followed and threatened several people while wearing a mask and filming the incidents. The alleged conduct prompted an active aggravated assault warrant and a public search for the person identified in surveillance images.

In one reported incident, police said Hughes approached a 40-year-old woman who was jogging and asked, “Are you ready to die?” Authorities said he kept one arm behind his back as if he might be holding a weapon. The woman ran away and sustained a leg injury that required extensive treatment.

Description of the masked suspect

Investigators described the suspect as wearing a white baby doll-style Halloween mask with black hair, resembling the fictional horror character Chucky. Police also said he carried a black-and-blue plaid backpack. The unusual appearance and the alleged threats helped authorities connect the separate encounters and circulate a recognizable description.

Officials said the encounters occurred in the downtown area and involved pedestrians who were approached without warning. The reported use of a cellphone suggested that the interactions were being documented, although authorities have not publicly established a motive for the alleged behavior.

Multi-state search and arrest

Zymire Hughes allegedly left the Philadelphia area on Aug. 19, traveling from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, Florida, and then continuing to Las Vegas. Authorities said he had lived in Las Vegas since February and maintained employment ties in Nevada and California.

Investigators believe Hughes moved between locations to avoid arrest and spent five days at an apartment complex in southeast Las Vegas. Surveillance footage from that complex enabled officers to identify and locate him. The Philadelphia office of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Nevada Violent Offender Task Force carried out the arrest.

Charges and extradition process

Hughes is being held at the Clark County Detention Center while the legal process to return him to Pennsylvania proceeds. Authorities said he was wanted on an aggravated assault warrant. Philadelphia officials had also indicated that he could face felony and misdemeanor assault charges.

Officials said Hughes was already on probation in an unrelated case from Montgomery County. His detention in Nevada does not resolve the Pennsylvania allegations, which will be addressed through the extradition and court processes. The specific final charges and future hearings will be determined by Pennsylvania authorities and the courts.

Authorities’ account and unanswered questions

Authorities said Hughes questioned the arrest and resisted officers before deputies subdued him. Nothing was recovered when he was taken into custody, and officials said he did not provide a statement explaining his motive. Those details leave the reason for the alleged confrontations unresolved.

“If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run, who’s scared now? Who’s running now?”

The statement was attributed to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who had warned publicly that investigators were closing in. Prosecutors will still need to establish the facts of each encounter in court, while witnesses and surveillance evidence are expected to remain central to the case.

Summary

The arrest ends the immediate search for the man authorities say terrorized pedestrians near Philadelphia City Hall in a distinctive mask. Hughes remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the allegations will be tested in Pennsylvania court. Investigators have not announced a motive, and the extradition process must occur before the case moves forward in Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was arrested?

Authorities arrested Zymire Hughes, 22, in Las Vegas in connection with alleged confrontations in Philadelphia.

Where is Hughes being held?

He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

What led to the arrest?

Investigators used surveillance footage from a southeast Las Vegas apartment complex to locate him after he traveled across several states.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Authorities are searching for Zymire Hughes, a 22-year-old man accused of approaching, chasing and threatening people in downtown Philadelphia while wearing a Chucky-style mask. Investigators believe Hughes may have traveled to the Los Angeles area or Nevada, where he has work and personal ties. An arrest warrant is active, and the Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service are seeking him. Hughes faces felony and misdemeanor assault charges related to the Aug. 12 encounters.

Search expands beyond Philadelphia

The search for Zymire Hughes has extended from Philadelphia to Southern California and Nevada. Law enforcement officials said Hughes has strong work and personal connections to the Los Angeles area and frequently travels between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him packing bags and leaving his apartment complex during the week after the Philadelphia incidents.

Investigators have not confirmed Hughes’s location. Authorities in Southern California and Nevada were monitoring transportation stations and following up on reported sightings as they worked with Philadelphia police and federal marshals. Officials have not announced that Hughes has been found or that he is definitively in either state.

Suspect identified after masked encounters

Police identified Hughes on Thursday as the person allegedly involved in several early-morning encounters on Aug. 12 in downtown Philadelphia. Investigators say he approached and pursued multiple people while wearing a mask styled after the horror character Chucky and recording the interactions on a cellphone.

An arrest warrant has been issued, and Hughes is being sought on felony and misdemeanor assault charges. He was also on probation at the time, according to authorities. Police released a side-by-side image showing the masked suspect and surveillance footage near Philadelphia City Hall.

Jogger describes threatening confrontation

One reported encounter involved a 40-year-old female jogger. Authorities allege that Hughes asked her, “Are you ready to die?” while holding one hand behind his back. The woman fled and suffered a leg injury that police said will require extensive treatment.

Police said Hughes did not display a weapon or physically strike anyone during the reported incidents. However, investigators said his posture and conduct caused victims to believe he might be armed. The encounters occurred in public areas during the early morning, prompting concern among residents and people using the city streets.

“He’s a punk. I mean, that’s the bottom line. He’s a punk who scared a lot of people for no good reason, and we’re not going to tolerate it,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said.

Investigators examine possible motive

Investigators believe Hughes may have been attempting to create social media content and potentially earn money from the encounters. That possibility remains part of the investigation, and authorities have not described a confirmed motive beyond the alleged effort to film the interactions.

Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said investigators did not believe Hughes attempted to physically assault anyone during the incidents. He also said no weapon was brandished, although the jogger encounter created the appearance that Hughes could be concealing one.

“There wasn’t an attempt by himself to lay hands on anyone,” Capt. Jason Smith said. “He didn’t brandish any weapon, although, in the case of the jogger, he did have his right arm behind his back, implying that he had a weapon. But at no point in time did he furnish a weapon.”

Authorities urge caution as search continues

The Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service are continuing the effort to locate Hughes. Agencies in the areas where he is known to travel are checking transportation hubs and investigating tips. His precise whereabouts remain unknown.

Members of the public who believe they have seen Hughes should avoid approaching him and contact law enforcement. The active warrant and pending charges mean the allegations have not been resolved in court. Authorities continue to assess surveillance footage, reported sightings and Hughes’s travel connections as they pursue the investigation.

Summary

The investigation remains active as authorities search for Hughes across multiple states. Police are relying on surveillance footage, travel information and public reports while warning people not to approach the suspect. The charges and allegations will proceed through the legal system if Hughes is arrested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is being sought?

Authorities are seeking 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who was identified as the suspect in the Philadelphia incidents.

Where might Hughes be?

Investigators believe he may be in the Los Angeles area because of his work and personal ties there, although he may also travel through Nevada and his location has not been confirmed.

What charges does he face?

Hughes faces felony and misdemeanor assault charges connected to the alleged encounters. An arrest warrant is active.

What should the public do?

People should not approach Hughes if they believe they see him. They should contact law enforcement and provide the location and relevant details.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Several members of a U.S. Marshals task force were injured when an elevated deck collapsed during an operation at a Missouri home. The officers were gathered behind the residence while attempting to serve a warrant connected to a registered sex offender. The subject, Jacob Alexander Munoz, was taken into custody later that day, according to the Marshals Service. Officials said the injured personnel were doing well, although some could face extended recovery periods and lasting effects.

Video of the incident shows task force members suddenly falling when the deck gave way beneath them. The operation was conducted in Randolph County as part of a nationwide effort targeting fugitives whose original charges involved sex crimes.

Deck collapse injures task force members

Members of a U.S. Marshals task force had assembled on an elevated deck at the rear of a home in Missouri while serving a warrant. The structure suddenly collapsed, sending several officers tumbling to the ground below. The collapse occurred during the approach to the residence and was captured on video.

The Marshals Service said some personnel were injured in the incident. The agency reported that they were doing well, while cautioning that a few task force officers and deputy U.S. Marshals could require longer recoveries and might experience lasting effects.

“We expect some long-term effects of this incident for a couple of our TFOs and DUSMs but nothing that will keep them from continuing the mission of the USMS,” the agency said.

Warrant subject is taken into custody

Jacob Alexander Munoz, 26, was the subject of the warrant and was taken into custody later the same day, the Marshals Service said. The operation took place at his home in Randolph County, Missouri, after authorities sought to enforce conditions associated with his release.

The arrest followed the deck collapse and the resulting injuries to members of the task force. The available account does not indicate that the collapse prevented officers from completing the operation. Munoz’s custody was confirmed by the Marshals Service after the warrant was executed.

Release violations led to the warrant

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office obtained a state warrant in June or July after Munoz allegedly stopped complying with the terms and conditions of his release. At the time, he had been registering as a sex offender following his release from custody.

The Marshals Service joined the effort to locate and arrest him. The warrant operation was part of the agency’s work to apprehend fugitives connected to sex-related offenses. Authorities had previously focused on Munoz’s residence during an investigation involving electronic devices.

Registry records outline the underlying conviction

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Sex Offender Registry lists Munoz as a Tier 1 sex offender. The registry identifies his most recent offense as possession of child pornography involving more than 20 images or one film or video.

Registry records identify the offense date as March 16, 2020, when Munoz was 20, and describe the victim as a girl between the ages of 9 and 13. The offense occurred in Randolph County. The Marshals Service said Munoz was convicted in 2022.

Local police had seen multiple guns inside the home during an earlier 2020 search, according to the Marshals Service. That search was conducted to seize electronic devices and led to the charges resulting in the conviction.

Operation formed part of a national enforcement effort

The task force was serving the warrant as part of Operation Adam’s Watch, a nationwide U.S. Marshals initiative targeting fugitives whose original charges involved sex crimes. The operation marked the 20th anniversary of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.

The incident illustrates the physical risks officers can face even during a planned warrant service. In this case, the danger came from the elevated structure beneath the task force rather than from a reported confrontation at the home. Despite the injuries, the subject was taken into custody and the agency said the affected personnel were expected to continue their mission as recovery allowed.

Summary

Several U.S. Marshals task force members were injured when a deck collapsed during a warrant operation at a Missouri home. The warrant subject, Jacob Alexander Munoz, was arrested later that day after allegedly violating release conditions. The operation was part of a nationwide effort focused on fugitives linked to sex crimes, and officials said the injured personnel were recovering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened during the warrant operation?

An elevated deck at the rear of a Missouri home collapsed while members of a U.S. Marshals task force were gathered on it to serve a warrant. Several officers fell to the ground and were injured.

Who was arrested?

Jacob Alexander Munoz, 26, was taken into custody later the same day, according to the Marshals Service.

Why was the warrant issued?

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office obtained a state warrant after Munoz allegedly stopped complying with the terms and conditions of his release while registering as a sex offender.

What did officials say about the injured officers?

The Marshals Service said those injured were doing well, although some could face longer recoveries and lasting effects.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Isabelle Johnson, 38, was arrested in Florida after a 45-day manhunt across Florida, Georgia and Alabama, authorities said. A U.S. Marshals task force took her into custody Thursday at a home near Cottondale without incident. Johnson is charged with murder in the death of Jason Coulthart, whose body was found in a shallow grave in Freeport, Florida, on June 25. She was booked into the Jackson County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Walton County, where officials said additional charges may follow.

Arrest ends a multistate search

Authorities said the search for Isabelle Johnson ended Thursday afternoon when a U.S. Marshals task force arrested her at a residence off Peanut Road, just outside Cottondale in Jackson County, Florida. Cottondale is about an hour west of Tallahassee. The operation followed roughly 45 days of investigative work spanning Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

Johnson was wanted on a murder charge in connection with the death of Jason Coulthart. Officers reported that she was taken into custody without incident. She was then booked into the Jackson County Jail and is expected to be transferred to Walton County for the next stage of the case.

“We got her. Isabelle Johnson is in custody.”

Cyber Crimes Unit information leads investigators to Cottondale

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said information developed by its Cyber Crimes Unit helped investigators determine Johnson’s whereabouts. After receiving that information, Jackson County deputies and members of the federal task force went to the Cottondale-area address and made the arrest.

Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield confirmed the response at the residence. Walton County Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson credited cooperation among local, state and federal agencies. He said investigators devoted “tons and tons of man hours” to the search, while the broader investigation included more than 40 subpoenas and over 20 search warrants.

“It’s absolutely a good day. It’s really important, again, just want to stress to the public. She’s here, she’s in custody.”

Missing-person case leads to discovery of shallow grave

Jason Coulthart was reported missing on May 24 after he was last seen leaving the College Condominiums on East College Boulevard in Niceville, Florida. During the missing-person investigation, detectives developed information that directed them to a property off Sunset Lane in Freeport.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property and found Coulthart’s body buried in a shallow grave on June 25, according to the sheriff’s office. That discovery shifted the inquiry from a missing-person investigation to a homicide case and led authorities to seek Johnson on a murder charge.

Five others face accessory charges

Authorities have arrested five other people in connection with the case. Michael Ray White, Kathleen Morris, Bobbi Wagstaff, Martin Leaverton and Sandra Leaverton have each been charged with accessory to a capital felony after the fact.

Officials said Thursday that additional arrests are expected. They did not immediately release further details about the allegations involving the other defendants or explain what additional charges Johnson may face. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for the next legal proceedings.

Investigation remains active after capture

During the manhunt, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office described Johnson as “cunning” and a “master manipulator” and urged anyone assisting her to stop. Authorities said details about the circumstances of her arrest could not immediately be disclosed because the investigation is still active.

Johnson’s capture resolves the immediate search but does not conclude the broader case. Investigators are continuing to examine the evidence gathered through subpoenas, search warrants and interviews, while Johnson’s expected extradition to Walton County will allow the murder charge to proceed there.

Summary

The arrest of Isabelle Johnson concludes a lengthy regional search tied to the death of Jason Coulthart. Investigators used information from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, along with extensive subpoenas and search warrants, to locate her in Jackson County. With Johnson expected to return to Walton County and five other defendants already charged, authorities are continuing to build the homicide case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was arrested?

Isabelle Johnson, 38, was arrested by a U.S. Marshals task force near Cottondale, Florida.

What is Johnson charged with?

She is charged with murder in the death of Jason Coulthart. Authorities said she may face additional charges.

Where was Coulthart’s body found?

Investigators found his body in a shallow grave at a property off Sunset Lane in Freeport, Florida, on June 25.

What happens next?

Johnson is expected to be extradited from Jackson County to Walton County, while investigators continue the active case and consider additional arrests.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Authorities are seeking 19-year-old Khadfi Fleming in connection with a robbery tied to the fatal shooting of Penn State student Billy Schmidt. Fleming is also a person of interest in an aggravated assault involving an off-duty Philadelphia police officer. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a cash reward for information leading to Fleming’s whereabouts. He has not been charged in connection with the officer confrontation.

The latest investigation began after suspected car thieves allegedly targeted the officer’s Dodge Charger in Philadelphia early Monday, August 10. The officer followed and confronted the suspects, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. No injuries have been reported, and investigators later recovered the damaged Charger and a second vehicle believed to have been stolen.

Fleming sought after officer confrontation

Khadfi Fleming, 19, is wanted on a robbery charge connected to the June killing of Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old Penn State student. He is also being sought as a person of interest in the August 10 aggravated assault of an off-duty Philadelphia police officer. The U.S. Marshals Service announced an immediate cash reward for information that helps authorities locate him.

Authorities have not charged Fleming in the confrontation involving the officer. His identification reflects the ongoing investigation into the violent encounter, while the robbery case connected to Schmidt’s death predates the latest incident.

Details of the Philadelphia shootout

The confrontation occurred early Monday after suspects allegedly targeted the off-duty officer’s Dodge Charger in Philadelphia. According to investigators, the officer followed the suspects and confronted them, prompting an exchange of gunfire. No one is believed to have been struck.

Investigators later found the Charger with a broken window and damage to its steering column. Numerous 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene. Authorities said the suspects moved into another stolen vehicle, a Lexus, which was later found abandoned. The circumstances of the vehicle theft and the identities of any additional suspects remain under investigation.

Robbery case involving Billy Schmidt

Schmidt was fatally shot shortly after 1:30 a.m. on June 6 as he walked home from an NBA Finals watch party. He was only a few blocks from his South Philadelphia home when the shooting occurred. Investigators said the killing followed an armed robbery involving his phone.

Surveillance video captured the moments before the shooting. Schmidt could be heard asking for his stolen phone back before a gunshot was heard. His father, Bill Schmidt, previously described his son as someone who “cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul.”

“For him to get shot like that is a travesty,” Bill Schmidt said.

Arrests in the student killing investigation

The investigation initially focused on two 16-year-old suspects. U.S. Marshals arrested Azzubair Outen-Fleming, who is identified as Khadfi Fleming‘s younger brother, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, about a month after Schmidt’s death. Authorities said he was located at the home of a distant relative and initially tried to conceal his identity.

Philadelphia police said Outen-Fleming would face a murder charge and that both teenagers would be charged as adults. The second teenager, Kaiseem Smith, surrendered to Philadelphia police. The arrests occurred as investigators continued examining the robbery and shooting that killed Schmidt, who was studying digital journalism and media at Penn State and expected to graduate in December.

How to provide information

The U.S. Marshals Service is asking anyone with information about Fleming’s location to contact its Philadelphia office. Tips may be submitted by calling 1-866-865-TIPS, or 1-866-865-8477. Authorities are offering a cash reward for information that leads to Fleming’s whereabouts.

People who believe they have information about either investigation should contact law enforcement rather than approach Fleming. The current request concerns his location, while his involvement in the officer confrontation has not resulted in a reported charge.

Summary

The search for Khadfi Fleming has expanded from a robbery investigation connected to the killing of Billy Schmidt to a separate inquiry into an armed confrontation involving an off-duty Philadelphia officer. While two teenagers have been taken into custody in the student’s killing, Fleming remains sought and has not been charged in the officer incident. Authorities are relying on public assistance and a cash reward as the investigation continues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Khadfi Fleming?

Khadfi Fleming is a 19-year-old wanted on a robbery charge connected to the June killing of Penn State student Billy Schmidt. He is also a person of interest in an August 10 aggravated assault investigation involving an off-duty Philadelphia police officer.

Has Fleming been charged in the officer shooting?

No. Authorities have identified Fleming as a person of interest in the confrontation, but the article reports no charge against him in that incident.

How can the public provide information?

Information about Fleming’s whereabouts can be reported to the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-865-TIPS, or 1-866-865-8477. A cash reward is being offered for information leading to his location.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Authorities are seeking 19-year-old Khadfi Fleming in connection with a robbery linked to the fatal shooting of Penn State student Billy Schmidt. Fleming is also a person of interest in an Aug. 10 aggravated assault involving an off-duty Philadelphia police officer and suspected car thieves. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering an immediate cash reward for information leading to Fleming’s whereabouts.

The latest investigation began after an off-duty officer followed people who allegedly targeted his Dodge Charger. Gunfire was exchanged during a confrontation, but no one is believed to have been struck. Fleming has not been charged in the officer-related incident.

Search expands after officer confrontation

The U.S. Marshals Service identified Khadfi Fleming as a person of interest in the aggravated assault of an off-duty Philadelphia police officer on Monday, Aug. 10. Investigators say the encounter followed an alleged attempt to steal the officer’s Dodge Charger in Philadelphia. The officer pursued and confronted the suspects, prompting an exchange of gunfire.

The suspects escaped after the confrontation. Authorities have not said that Fleming was arrested or charged in the new case, and the circumstances linking him to the incident remain under investigation.

Evidence recovered from the vehicle scene

Investigators later recovered the officer’s Charger. The vehicle had a broken window and damage to its steering column, according to authorities cited in the report. Numerous 9mm shell casings were also found at the scene.

Authorities said the suspects moved to another stolen vehicle, a Lexus, which was later found abandoned. No person is believed to have been hit during the shooting. The recovered vehicles and shell casings are part of the investigation into the alleged car theft and the assault on the officer.

Earlier robbery case involving Penn State student

Fleming was already wanted on a robbery charge connected to the June 6 killing of 22-year-old Penn State student Billy Schmidt. Schmidt was walking home from an NBA Finals watch party in South Philadelphia at about 1:30 a.m. when he was fatally shot, just blocks from his home.

Surveillance video captured the moments before the shooting. Schmidt was heard asking for his stolen phone back before a gunshot was heard, according to investigators. He was studying digital journalism and media at Penn State and was expected to graduate in December.

“Cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul,” Schmidt’s father, Bill Schmidt, previously said of his son.

Teen suspects in Schmidt killing

The killing led authorities to search for two 16-year-old suspects, including Fleming’s younger brother, Azzubair Outen-Fleming. U.S. Marshals arrested Outen-Fleming in Colorado Springs about a month after the shooting at the home of a distant relative. Authorities said he initially tried to conceal his identity.

Philadelphia police said Outen-Fleming would face a murder charge. The second teenager, Kaiseem Smith, surrendered to Philadelphia police. Authorities confirmed that both 16-year-olds would be charged as adults in connection with the June robbery and shooting.

How to provide information

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a cash reward for information that leads to Fleming’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the agency at 1-866-865-TIPS (8477).

The reward request covers Fleming’s location while investigators examine his possible connection to the Aug. 10 confrontation. Authorities have not announced additional charges against him in that incident.

Summary

The search for Khadfi Fleming now spans two Philadelphia investigations: a robbery case connected to the death of Billy Schmidt and a more recent confrontation involving an off-duty police officer. While Fleming has not been charged in the officer assault, federal authorities are seeking information about his location. The public can report tips directly to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Khadfi Fleming?

Fleming is a 19-year-old wanted on a robbery charge connected to the June killing of Penn State student Billy Schmidt. He is also a person of interest in the Aug. 10 assault investigation involving an off-duty Philadelphia officer.

What happened during the officer confrontation?

An off-duty officer followed suspects who allegedly targeted his Dodge Charger and confronted them. Gunfire was exchanged, but no one is believed to have been struck. The suspects fled in another stolen vehicle, a Lexus, which was later abandoned.

How can the public report information?

Information about Fleming’s whereabouts can be provided to the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-865-TIPS (8477).

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Authorities have launched an international manhunt for Matthew Flores, 27, after the bodies of his parents were found buried behind their home in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Investigators believe Flores may have fled the country and have identified him as a suspect in the deaths. The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are assisting local police with the search. Officials said evidence of blood and an attempted cleanup inside the home indicated possible foul play.

Bodies recovered from Litchfield Park backyard

Police responding to a missing-persons investigation recovered two bodies from the backyard of a home in Litchfield Park, a community in Maricopa County, Arizona. Officials said the deceased individuals were the parents of Matthew Flores. The recoveries were announced Friday after investigators determined that the disappearance of the three family members involved suspicious circumstances. A mini excavator was used to remove the bodies from the ground, and authorities said they were in a state of decomposition.

Evidence inside the home points to possible foul play

Avondale police officers and crime-scene personnel examined the residence after the disappearance prompted an investigation. Officer Daniel Benavidez said investigators found large amounts of blood inside the house, along with indications that someone had attempted to clean it. Authorities said those findings led them to suspect foul play, although the investigation remains active and the cause and manner of death have not been publicly established.

“I can’t tell you how many hours or days, but what I can say is that the bodies are in a state of decomposition,” Officer Daniel Benavidez said.

Federal agencies join the search for Matthew Flores

The FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service are assisting Avondale police in the effort to locate Flores. Investigators believe the 27-year-old has left the United States, prompting an international search. Flores has been identified as a suspect in the deaths of his parents, but the available information does not indicate that he has been arrested or charged. Authorities have not disclosed where they believe he may have gone or provided additional details about the evidence linking him to the case.

Family asks for privacy as investigation continues

The Flores family said it was cooperating with law enforcement while asking the public to respect its privacy. The statement came as police continued processing the home and seeking information about Flores’s whereabouts. The family also expressed gratitude to relatives, neighbors and community members who had shown concern during the investigation.

“The Flores Semyonov family is devastated by recent events. They are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

Neighbors describe suspect as kind and sweet

People who knew Flores told local investigators they were surprised that he had been identified as a suspect. They described him as kind and sweet, a characterization that contrasts with the allegations under investigation. Police have not released a possible motive, a detailed timeline of the deaths or information about what may have occurred inside the residence. The search and forensic work are continuing as authorities try to establish the sequence of events and locate Flores.

Summary

The discovery of two bodies behind a Litchfield Park home has turned a missing-persons investigation into a homicide inquiry involving the victims’ son. Federal authorities are helping local police search internationally for Matthew Flores, whom investigators believe may have left the country. Evidence found inside the home, including blood and signs of cleaning, is central to the investigation. Officials have not announced a motive, charges or a location for Flores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is being sought by authorities?

Matthew Flores, 27, is being sought as a suspect in the deaths of his parents. Investigators believe he may have fled the United States.

Where were the bodies found?

The bodies were found buried in the backyard of a home in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

What agencies are involved in the search?

Avondale police are leading the local investigation, with assistance from the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service.

What evidence have officials disclosed?

Police said they found large amounts of blood inside the home and evidence that someone had tried to clean it. Officials said the findings indicated possible foul play.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Ivan Antonio Barias-Florimon and Stuar Jose Lopez-Reyes have been charged in connection with a deadly home invasion in Milford, Connecticut. Investigators allege the two men broke into a beach house on June 3 and shot a couple, killing 69-year-old Fredrick Werner and seriously injuring his wife. Both suspects were arrested after warrants were obtained on July 28, following a two-month manhunt. The Department of Homeland Security is also seeking to revoke their lawful permanent resident status.

The Milford home invasion and shooting

The alleged attack occurred on June 3 at a home near Walnut Beach in Milford, a coastal Connecticut community. Prosecutors and investigators say Ivan Antonio Barias-Florimon, 24, and Stuar Jose Lopez-Reyes, 25, entered the property and opened fire on the residents. Fredrick Werner died from multiple gunshot wounds, while his wife was shot in the head and remained hospitalized recovering from her injuries.

The circumstances described by investigators prompted a major law enforcement response and left the case unresolved for nearly two months. The suspects are accused of carrying out a targeted home invasion, but the supplied information does not detail a possible motive or identify the specific criminal counts filed against each man.

Arrests after a two-month manhunt

Law enforcement secured arrest warrants for both suspects on July 28. Two days later, U.S. Marshals working with Milford and New Haven police arrested Stuar Jose Lopez-Reyes. The arrest followed efforts by local and federal agencies to locate him after the shooting.

The second arrest took place in the Bronx. The U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force announced that Ivan Antonio Barias-Florimon had been taken into custody there. The arrests ended the reported manhunt and allowed the criminal case to proceed against both defendants.

The suspects’ immigration histories

The Department of Homeland Security identified both suspects as nationals of the Dominican Republic. According to DHS, Barias-Florimon entered the United States in 2007 as the child of a lawful permanent resident.

DHS said Lopez-Reyes entered the country on a visa in November 2016. The agency also said he was arrested in 2021 on allegations involving criminal mischief and obstruction of breathing, but was ultimately convicted of disorderly conduct. He received lawful permanent resident status in October 2022.

DHS seeks to revoke green cards

DHS said it is seeking to revoke the green cards of both men following the charges in the Connecticut case. The agency described the suspects as criminal aliens, a term it uses for noncitizens accused or convicted of criminal conduct.

“Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right. Under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused.”

The statement reflects the administration’s position that lawful permanent resident status can be challenged when immigration or criminal laws are violated. Any immigration consequences would proceed separately from the Connecticut criminal prosecution.

The case moves through criminal and immigration proceedings

The immediate criminal matter is being handled in Connecticut, where the men face charges tied to the June 3 shooting. The arrests were made by federal marshals with assistance from local police, while DHS is pursuing the separate immigration action involving their permanent resident status.

The available information does not state whether either suspect has entered a plea, whether prosecutors will seek additional charges, or when the next court hearings will occur. The case therefore involves two parallel processes: a criminal proceeding focused on the deaths and injuries in Milford, and an immigration review focused on whether the suspects may retain their green cards.

Summary

Two Dominican nationals face charges in a fatal Milford home invasion that left one man dead and his wife hospitalized. Their arrests followed a coordinated search by federal and local law enforcement. DHS is separately seeking to revoke their green cards based on the allegations and each man’s immigration history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the suspects?

Ivan Antonio Barias-Florimon, 24, and Stuar Jose Lopez-Reyes, 25, are Dominican nationals charged in the Milford case.

When did the home invasion occur?

The alleged home invasion occurred on June 3 in Milford, Connecticut.

Why is DHS seeking to revoke the green cards?

DHS said the agency may revoke lawful permanent resident status when immigration or criminal laws are broken and abused. The agency is pursuing that action in connection with the charges.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a deadly home invasion in Milford, Connecticut, after a two-month investigation. Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, was taken into custody in the Bronx by a regional U.S. Marshals task force. He is accused of participating in the June 3 shooting that killed 69-year-old Frederick Raymond Werner and seriously wounded Werner’s wife. Authorities say the attack may have been targeted rather than random.

Arrest follows a two-month investigation

The U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force announced Tuesday that it arrested Ivan Barias-Florimon in the Bronx. Investigators identified him the previous week as the second suspect in the Milford case, leading authorities to locate and apprehend him in New York. The arrest followed investigative work involving the Marshals Service, Milford police and New Haven police.

The case began with the June 3 shooting and developed over roughly two months before Barias-Florimon was captured. Authorities have not publicly described the specific evidence used to identify him or provided additional details about the arrest.

June shooting at a Milford residence

Police responded on June 3 to a reported shooting in the 800 block area of East Broadway in Milford, a coastal Connecticut community. Investigators allege that Ivan Barias-Florimon and Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, entered the home and began shooting at the occupants.

Frederick Raymond Werner, 69, was found dead inside the residence with multiple gunshot wounds. His wife was shot in the head and remained hospitalized while recovering, according to local reporting cited by authorities. The incident prompted a homicide investigation and a search for the second alleged participant.

Charges and court proceedings

Ivan Barias-Florimon faces charges of felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, home invasion, attempted murder and first-degree assault on an elderly person. He was arraigned Tuesday in New York Criminal Court, where a judge ordered him held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court on August 18.

Stuar Lopez-Reyes was arrested Thursday by U.S. Marshals working with Milford and New Haven police. He is being held in a Bridgeport, Connecticut, jail on a $3 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 11. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Authorities assess the alleged motive

Milford police have said the home invasion was not believed to be a random act of violence. Investigators described the attack as potentially targeted, although authorities have not publicly explained why the residence may have been selected or identified a suspected motive.

“Not a random act of violence.”

Police have said additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues. Officials have not released further information about whether other people were involved or what may have preceded the shooting.

Victim remembered as investigation continues

Frederick Raymond Werner is survived by his wife, sister, two daughters and three grandchildren. An obituary described him as someone who enjoyed golf, boating, time by his pool and the ocean. The account said the water was among his favorite places and a source of peace and happiness.

“Fred embraced life to the fullest.”

The arrests mark significant developments in the case, but the investigation remains active. Prosecutors and police are expected to continue reviewing the circumstances of the alleged home invasion as both defendants proceed through court.

Summary

Authorities have arrested both suspects alleged to have entered the Milford home and opened fire on its occupants. The death of Frederick Raymond Werner, the serious injury to his wife and the arrests of Ivan Barias-Florimon and Stuar Lopez-Reyes are central to the ongoing prosecution. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances and possible targeting behind the attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was arrested in the Milford case?

Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, was arrested in the Bronx by a regional U.S. Marshals task force. Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, had previously been arrested in connection with the case.

What happened during the home invasion?

Police allege that the two suspects entered a Milford residence on June 3 and began shooting. Frederick Raymond Werner was killed, and his wife was shot in the head.

What charges does Barias-Florimon face?

He faces felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, home invasion, attempted murder and first-degree assault on an elderly person. He was ordered held without bail and is due back in court on August 18.

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