Bedford Heights Homicide Suspect Arrested By Fugitive Task Force

Cleveland, OH – Early this morning, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) located and arrested Bernard Walter Lewis Lonnie Sparks, 33. Sparks has been wanted since January 2022 for aggravated murder, attempted murder, aggravated burglary, and felonious assault.

On January 5, 2022, Sparks broke into the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, Eytae France, 33. He crept into her bedroom, woke her up and proceeded to shoot her friend Zaire Montez Garrett, 25, in the back of the head. The bullet passed through Garrett’s body and lodged in France’s body. Garrett succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, but France survived. Sparks fled the scene and has been on the run since.

After months of work, this morning members of the Cleveland Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Sparks while he was sleeping inside a vehicle in a parking lot near the 26500 block of Brush Ave., Euclid, Ohio.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, "The fear this fugitive brought to the families of these victims is unimaginable, he belongs behind bars. Hopefully, these families have some peace knowing he is not out on the streets any longer."

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can send a web tip. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.