Man Wanted by South Carolina for Murder Arrested in Martinsburg, WV

Martinsburg, WV – On July 28, 2014 Blake Octavian Parrish, 26, was arrested in the 900 Block of Thompson St, Martinsburg, WV by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Mountain State Fugitive Task Force (MSFTF) after a brief foot pursuit.

Parrish is wanted by the Greenwood Police Department in South Carolina for murder and weapons violations. The USMS in the District of South Carolina requested the assistance of USMS in the Northern District of West Virginia believing that Parrish was residing in the Eastern Panhandle area possibly with family. During the investigation it was learned that Parrish was also wanted by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office for Wanton Endangerment with a firearm.

Task Force Officers (TFOs) were conducting surveillance on several locations when Parrish was observed leaving 122 Jackson Pl, Martinsburg, WV. TFO’s and additional members of the Martinsburg Police department converged on the location and attempted to take Parrish into custody. Parrish ignored officers’ commands and fled on foot. Officers pursued Parrish and ultimately a taser had to be deployed to subdue him.

Parrish was charged by the Martinsburg Police Department for obstruction and fleeing and will be charged as a fugitive from justice. Parrish currently remains in Eastern Regional Jail.

The Mountain State Fugitive Task Force agencies present during the arrest were the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Martinsburg Police Department, US Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police. Additional agencies with the Task Force are the Charles Town Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Shepherdstown Police Department and the West Virginia Parole Office.

The primary mission of the U.S. Marshals led task forces is to locate and capture fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug crimes, sex offenders and other violent felony offenses.