York City Police target 6 fugitives after spate of shootings
Liz Evans ScolforoFRIDAY, AUG. 3 UPDATE:
Nathan D. Walters was arrested about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at a home in the 500 block of West Philadelphia Street, according to York City Police.
He was wanted on outstanding warrants, police said, and is the third of six people being sought by police.
Police are still looking for Shanquay Ritter, Marquis Clark and Anthony Colon.
See below for details about the fugitives.
REPORTED EARLIER:
Police said they began searching for six York City fugitives in response to a spate of shootings over the weekend and are offering rewards to tipsters who help them track them down.
The wanted men, two of whom have already been captured, had existing arrest warrants prior to last weekend's gun violence, according to police.
York City Police have not said whether any of them is suspected of committing any recent shootings in the city.
One of the fugitives — Shanquay Ritter — has twice been sought for questioning by York City detectives in homicide investigations.
York City Police have previously said they wanted to question Ritter, 21, about the Aug. 21, 2017 homicide of Jamere Cherry, 28, in the 200 block of East Gas Avenue, and the April 24, 2018, homicide of Nylik Roger Moore, 18, of North York.
He was not charged in either shooting.
When police tracked down Ritter in April to talk with him about Moore's slaying, he was allegedly in possession of illegal body armor and cocaine and was arrested and charged, police have said.
On Tuesday, July 31, York City Police said they were looking to arrest Ritter and five others who have outstanding warrants as part of the city's GVI response to six people being shot in three separate incidents in the city last weekend.
Four young men were shot in the first block of East Maple Street about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, July 29, police have said. One man was shot about 11:50 p.m. Friday, July 27, and one was shot about 3 a.m. Saturday, July 28, police have said.
All six shooting victims are expected to survive, police said.
As part of York City's Group Violence Intervention initiative, police come down hard on those involved in a violent street lifestyle, as well as those who associate with them or even live near them.
Wanted: In addition to Ritter, police said they are seeking Anthony Colon, no age available; Marquis Clark, 19; and Nathan Walters, 20. Police did not provide their addresses.
Two others being sought were arrested Tuesday, police said — Al'Lante McCowin, 20, and Kai Smith, 20.
McCowin and another man were shot about 9:30 p.m. July 14, at Bantz Park, police have said. McCowin was shot in the shoulder, according to police.
Smith and a 16-year-old city boy were shot in the 500 block of West Market Street about 1 a.m. June 17, according to police.
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More:Helfrich optimistic about York's gun-violence initiative
About GVI: The GVI initiative started in York City in February 2017 after about 18 months of planning and preparation.
The premise of GVI, offered through the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and its National Network of Safe Communities, is that a very small number of people in any city perpetrate the vast majority of violent crimes.
So to reduce violent crime, law enforcement has to identify and target that small group of people, who often are involved in gangs or the drug trade, or both. Those targeted during call-in presentations then carry the message back to their associates.
The GVI philosophy is that the community would rather help people get free of a lifestyle of violence but will come down hard on those who don't get the message.
Rewards offered: Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the fugitives, or about any unsolved shooting or violent York City crime, can text "Yorktips" and their information to 847-411.
The texting service is anonymous and allows tipsters to carry on texting conversations with police without police knowing their identities Police Chief Troy Bankert has said.
Tipsters also can call the York City Police tip line at 717-849-2204, York County Crime Stoppers at 717-775-TIPS, or download the York City PD app on their smartphones.
Police said rewards are being offered for help in tracking down the men and said tipsters can remain anonymous.
— Reach Liz Evans Scolforo at levans@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @LizScolforoYD.