Durham Murder Suspect Arrested in Raleigh, NC by U.S. Marshals

Durham, NC – On August 27, 2014 at 9:00 AM, Shawn Leroy Butler, a 16 year old, Black Male, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force (JFTF), U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force (VFTF) and the Durham Police Department. On August 27, 2014, warrants were issued by the Durham Police Department charging Butler with homicide (one count) and discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling (two counts). It is alleged that on August 9, 2014, Butler discharged a firearm into multiple properties located at 609 Lee Street in Durham. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that Rakwon Smith had been shot inside his home. Smith was taken to the hospital where he later died as a result of those injuries. Officers believe that Butler and Smith were acquaintances.

Surveillance was conducted by JFTF, VFTF and the Durham Police Department at 7625 Mine Valley Road in Raleigh, NC. During that time, Butler was observed standing in front of the house and entering the passenger side of a minivan. Butler was taken into custody at that time without incident.

The U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force for the Middle District of North Carolina is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Chapel Hill Police Department, Durham Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Winston-Salem Police Department, Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Department of Community Corrections – Probation & Parole.