OXFORD – United States Attorney Scott F. Leary announced today that an international violent fugitive was arrested in the Northern District of Mississippi on an immigration related charge brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Adrian Walker, 28, a Canadian national, is wanted by the Toronto Police Services on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for first degree murder and attempted murder, following a May 7, 2024 violent shooting in Toronto, Canada. For that offense, he has been named as a “Most Wanted Person” by the Toronto Police Services.
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) and their Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned that Walker was using an alias and hiding from Canadian law enforcement in Tupelo, Mississippi. Agents with HSI were able to determine that Walker had illegally entered into the United States without inspection. officials. HSI special agents were able to obtain an arrest warrant for an immigration offense. Monday afternoon, Walker was captured by federal and state law enforcement.
Walker has been charged in the Northern District of Mississippi. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations has placed an immigration detainer on Walker to ensure he is transferred into ICE custody and not released into the community following the conclusion of any charges he faces in the Northern District of Mississippi. At that time, they will be pursuing removal from the United States to Canada to face justice for the murder and shooting offenses for which he has been charged.
USA Leary stated, “This was a serious case. A Canadian national, wanted for murder, entered our country illegally and was living in our midst. He even made a Canadian Most Wanted list. Seeking sanctuary in Mississippi is not a smart move. The U.S. Marshals for the Northern District of Mississippi, together with ATF and HSI, conducted a multi-day operation to safely locate and apprehend this individual. After their great work, he was in U.S. custody. Those that continually criticize law enforcement are not in the arena; our agents and officers are, and the folks in our district can sleep soundly knowing law enforcement officers did their job. Thank you!”
“This investigation is an example of the continued priority of ATF to work with our federal, state, local and international law enforcement partners to support public safety and reduce violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson.
“Walker, an international fugitive wanted on murder charges in Canada, believed he could evade capture by hiding in the Northern District of Mississippi,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright of HSI, New Orleans. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of HSI; the U.S. Marshals Service; ATF, and our state and local partners, he was safely apprehended on federal immigration charges and is now one step closer to facing justice in Canada.”
Robert Dickerson, Senior Inspector, United States Marshal Service, stated, “The United States Marshals Service will always seek justice for those involved in violent crimes, no matter if they occur domestically or internationally. If you bring criminal activity into our country, you will be held accountable.”
This case is being prosecuted by Clyde McGee and John Herzog Jr.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America . HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Northern District of Mississippi — U.S. Department of Justice press release.