WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WTWO/WAWV) — A murder suspect out of Richland County has been captured in Florida.
Rick A. Meador, 18, of Olney, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for first degree murder stemming from a Sept. 6 shooting.
Illinois State Police were called to assist Olney Police Department with a homicide investigation after Kyle M. Johnson, a 19-year-old from Olney, Ill., was found with multiple gunshot wounds and transported to a local hospital. The victim later died from his injuries.
Three days later, Illinois authorities arrested Tara N. Haws, 33, of Olney, in connection with the murder, while Meador’s whereabouts remained unknown.
This week, the U.S. Marshals Florida /Caribbean Fugitive Task Force tracked Meador to DeFuniak Springs, Fla. He was located Wednesday and placed under arrest by the Marshals assisted by Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Meador is currently being held in the Walton County, FL jail awaiting extradition. Bond for the warrant was set at $500,000.
Also located with Meador, was an endangered juvenile missing out of Illinois. She has been transported to a Florida children’s advocacy center.