U.S. Marshals Task Force Captures Violent Homicide Fugitive at Bus Stop in Ocala

Ocala, FL – The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force (FRFTF) captured fugitive Bryon Killins, 19, yesterday evening in southeast Ocala. Killins was wanted by the Orlando Police Department for (1) first-degree murder, principle in the first, (2) first-degree murder, accessory after the fact, and (3) tampering with physical evidence. Killins’ charges stemmed from a shooting on 12/28/12 in an apartment complex near the Mall at Millenia in Orlando. FRFTF members in Orlando and detectives from OPD developed information that Killins may have fled to Ocala after the shooting and contacted FRFTF members in Ocala for assistance. Killins’ co-defendant, Robert Burton, was previously arrested in Orlando and was also charged with first-degree murder. Burton is currently in the Orange County Jail.

FRFTF members in Ocala continued the investigation into Killins’ whereabouts and developed information that confirmed Killins had fled to Marion County and was hiding at an unknown location in southeast Ocala. Through continued investigation, FRFTF members identified a friend of Killins that Killins was likely hanging out with while on the run in Ocala. Yesterday, FRFTF members developed information that this friend was likely using public transportation to move around the Ocala area. FRFTF members – including investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gainesville Police Department – initiated surveillance at multiple larger bus stops in southeast Ocala, including the city bus transfer station located at the Marion County Health Department at 1801 Southeast 32nd Avenue. At approximately 5:30pm, FRFTF members saw Killins and the friend arrive at this bus stop. FRFTF members approached Killins and the friend and ordered them to the ground at gunpoint. Killins was placed under arrest without further incident. The friend was detained but then released. Killins was later booked into the Marion County Jail.

U.S. Marshal Edward “Ed” Spooner of the Northern District of Florida and U.S. Marshal William “Bill” Berger of the Middle District of Florida actively support the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, its member agencies, and its mission to capture violent fugitives. “Outstanding cooperation between the U.S. Marshals Service and several agencies in the Ocala and Orlando areas led to the successful arrest of this dangerous fugitive,” said U.S. Marshal Ed Spooner.

“Congratulations on the continued effort of the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force in removing this violent offender off the streets of Marion County,” said Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair. “We will continue to work hard in our partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service.”

“The Task Force is so successful because we combine the breadth of experience of several investigators from several agencies into a single force focused on locating violent fugitives. Killins’ attempts to avoid arrest by fleeing Orlando, hiding in Ocala, and using a public bus were unsuccessful because of the hard work of our skilled investigators. Once again, a violent fugitive is no longer roaming our community,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Bryon Carroll, a member of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force.

For additional information, please contact Deputy U.S. Marshal Bryon Carroll at (352) 672-8065.

The Gainesville Division of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is sponsored by the U.S. Marshals Service and comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, the Levy County Sheriff's Office, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Gainesville PoliceDepartment, and the Chiefland Police Department. The Task Force adopts fugitive investigations from state and local law enforcement agencies when the fugitive is known to be violent.