ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted in connection to a double-murder last week in St. Johns County.
Investigators are still looking for Johnny Williams Jr., who has been on the run since two shootings that left 24-year-old Jamie Wilson and 18-year-old Keiwuan Murray dead and another woman wounded.
The shootings were less than a mile apart in West Augustine.
St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar emphasized Friday that the department's No. 1 goal is to bring Williams into custody. He is still considered armed and dangerous.
DOCUMENT: U.S. Marshals wanted poster for Johnny Williams
The Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that the U.S. marshals are offering a reward for tips that lead to Williams' arrest.
Shoar said last week that after Wilson, Williams, their 2-month-old son and a 4-year-old niece got out of a car in front of a home on Rollins Avenue about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Williams shot Wilson. He then got back into the car and hit a stroller holding the baby before driving a few blocks to the corner of Duval and Fourth streets, where his mother lives.
Shoar said that after talking with his mom, Williams went outside and shot at a group of people where Murray was standing and Brittany Tobler, 28, was also hit by gunfire. Shoar said Williams had an ongoing dispute with a group of people that included Murray and Tobler that had nothing to do with why he shot Wilson.
"We've got so much information, and we've got to kind of synthesize it and get it in chronological order," Shoar said.
Tobler and the baby hit by the car were taken to Flagler Hospital for treatment. Both were treated and released.
Investigators later confirmed that the maroon Ford Contour deputies believe Williams used to leave St. Augustine had been stolen. That car was found abandoned on Kenmore Street, just off Norwood Avenue in Northwest Jacksonville.
Shoar said investigators have reason to believe Williams is hiding out in Jacksonville.
Silvestre Del Rosario with the U.S. Marshals Service told News4Jax that Williams’ capture has been deemed a “major case” for the agency.
Since the SJCSO believes that Williams may have crossed county lines, the U.S. Marshal’s Service became involved.
"We’re part of the Florida regional task force, which, what we do, we partner with local agencies, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns (County Sheriff's Office), Clay County Sheriff’s Office. We have representatives of their departments on our team," Del Rosaio said.
Shoar said the Sheriff's Office is still asking for tips from the public and reminds residents not to approach Williams if they see him. He said to call authorities immediately.
Gil Smith, News4Jax crime analyst, said the U.S. Marshals Service has numerous sources and informants that local law enforcement may not have direct access to, which can help. In addition, their primary job is tracking down suspects.
Smith said the U.S. Marshals Service keeps the identity of informants who call anonymous, even from local law enforcement agencies.
"Whoever calls the number can remain anonymous. The name will never be in a report, public. The only people who will know is the Marshal’s Service and that individual, not even the Sheriff’s Office," Smith said.
To contact the marshals office with information about Williams' whereabouts, call 1-877-926-8332 or go to www.usmarshals.gov.