For Immediate Release

Tallahassee, FL - The United States Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force announced the arrest today of Gary John Butler, 27, of Riviera Beach, Florida for the offense of 1st Degree Murder with a Firearm. Butler was currently being sought by the Riviera Beach Police Department after law enforcement officers developed probable cause that Butler shot and killed a female during an altercation at a house party last month. Information supplied by investigators revealed that Butler was involved in a physical altercation with a female victim and that after the fight Butler retrieved a firearm and shot the female multiple times. US Marshals in West Palm Beach, Florida contacted the Task Force late Monday afternoon after receiving information that Butler had fled Palm Beach County and was possibly hiding with a family member living in the Tallahassee, Florida area. Investigation by Task Force members quickly determined that Butler was possibly staying in the 2500 block of Nugget Lane near Astoria Park Elementary School. Task Force Officers established surveillance on the residence early this morning and at approximately 8:30 AM surrounded the duplex and announced law enforcement presence. Upon realizing that law enforcement had surrounded the apartment, Butler exited the residence and was arrested by task force personnel without incident. Butler is s currently being held in the Leon County Jail awaiting extradition back to Palm Beach County, Florida to face Capital Felony charges for the homicide.

The US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers and deputies from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County State Attorney’s Office, and the Perry Police Department. These officers and deputies are sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals and have the authority to pursue violent wanted felons from their jurisdictions anywhere within the United States or her territories.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov

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