West Virginia Murder Suspect Captured by U.S. Marshals in Akron

Akron, OH –  Yesterday, late in the afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Kevante Jaimere White, 27.  White was wanted by authorities in Huntington, West Virginia for two counts of first-degree murder and one count of malicious or unlawful assault with a firearm.

In the early morning hours of February 20, the suspect was involved in a verbal altercation with a group of men in a parking lot in the 300 block of 14th St. in Huntington.  Three victims were shot during the altercation.  One victim died at the scene, one later died at the hospital and the third victim survived. Adrian Phillips, 26, and Derious Johnson, 39, were the victims identified that died in the shooting.

White was quickly identified as the suspect in the crime, and he was found to be on supervision with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.  White was being supervised for original offenses of aggravated robbery and felonious assault out of Summit County.  White was released in November 2025 after serving a 10-year sentence.

Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service in West Virginia worked closely with Huntington Police Department as well as with the NOVFTF once it was discovered White was likely hiding in Ohio.  Early in the morning on Sunday, members of the NOVFTF began searching for White in Akron.  Eventually their investigation led them to an address in Canton in the 4600 block of Grandview Ave. NW in Canton.  White was arrested there by the NOVFTF without incident.  

White will remain in custody at the Stark County jail until he can be extradited back to Huntington, West Virginia.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “The victims, Derious Johnson, a youth basketball coach and Adrian Phillips, a city worker were senselessly murdered and taken from their families and communities.  This suspect needed to be caught quickly, and the U.S. Marshals will always be there to partner with our local departments and support our communities all across the country.”

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 NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:  
The United States Marshals Service, Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Fairlawn Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Kent Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Reminderville Police Department, Tallmadge Police Department, United States Secret Service, University of Akron Police Department, Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.