Fugitive Murder Suspect Captured

Tampa Murder Thomas McCoy had been on the run since April 10th murder of DeFuniak Springs man at Northwest Florida State College. FULL TEXT OF NEWS RELEASE

by U.S. Department of Justice

Published: Tue, April 21, 2009 - 1:26 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, April 21, 2009 - 1:47 pm CST

Murder Suspect in DeFuniak Springs Shooting Captured by U.S. Marshals Task Force in Tampa

"Tampa, FL – Thomas Ford McCoy wanted in connection for the murder of a DeFuniak Springs man less than two weeks ago was apprehended earlier today by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force when he was shot by a Deputy after McCoy pulled a gun on task force officers. The Marshals were conducting surveillance at a hotel in Tampa after the Marshals in Pensacola contacted them this morning. The Marshals Office in Pensacola received the information from Walton County Sheriff’s Office after it was developed as part of the ongoing fugitive investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. According to the Marshals in Tampa, McCoy, 42, exited the hotel and was spotted by them. The Marshals confronted McCoy and ordered him to the ground. When McCoy started to comply he drew a handgun on officers and was shot by a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Information has been provided to the Marshals in Pensacola that McCoy was shot in the shoulder and buttocks. It is unknown at this time if the gun he used was the weapon being sought in the investigation and the severity of his injuries. Marshals in Tampa report that he was transported to a local hospital. According to the U.S. Marshals at the scene, the truck that McCoy had escaped in was found there but it appeared that he had been spray painting it to change its appearance.

Several days after the shooting, The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force had received a request from Walton County Sheriff’s Office to aid in McCoy’s capture. They have been working with them and investigators as well as investigators from many of the surrounding jurisdictions including from the FDLE.

“This was an intense investigation that took a lot of man hours and sacrifices on the part of all those involved.” “But it is that type of cooperation that eventually leads to capturing these dangerous fugitives,” said Dennis Williamson, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida.

The Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola is comprised of officers from the U.S. Marshals Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices, Milton, Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach and Niceville Police Departments."

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