17-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED FOR MURDER OUTSIDE OF A CONVENIENCE STORE

Cleveland, Ohio — Late this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Royal King, 17. King was wanted by the juvenile division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon.

On September 19, 2025, Cleveland police responded to a call for a shooting at a convenient store in the 800 block of East 185th St. in Cleveland. When they arrived, they found the victim, 17-year-old Jahari Stegall, with a gunshot wound to his head. Security video shows what appears to be King waiting in the store for the victim to arrive. The suspect then left in a stolen vehicle which was later recovered by police.

Members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) have been looking for King since the warrants were issued. Early today, the task force gathered information that King may be staying in the area of E. 147th St. As officers searched the home in the 3500 block of East 147th St., they not only located and arrested Royal King they also recovered a loaded rifle in what is believed to be King’s bedroom. Another man was also located in the home, Anthony Phelps, 36, who was wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for various parole violations. Both were taken into custody without incident.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This was a heinous and brazen crime committed in the middle of the day by a suspect who has no regard for the life and safety of others. We are relieved he is off the streets before more violence was brought to the city of Cleveland by his hands.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit 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, 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 Metro health Police Department.