Washington D.C. – In July 2006, the bodies of two high school lacrosse players were found lying side-by-side, facedown, murdered execution style, miles from their suburban homes near Orlando. They had been shot from behind multiple times. The brutal double slaying was among the state’s highest profile homicide case of 2006, and one of several gang-related shootings that had swept through central Florida.

Today, 20-year-old Luc Pierre-Charles Jr., a suspect sought in connection with the student slayings, was added to the United States Marshals’ famed 15 MOST WANTED fugitives list.

In the wake of the 2006 shootings, police pressed local gangs hard, enabling prosecutors to file charges against Pierre-Charles and Tyree Jenkins, 22. But while they remained at large, a widespread fear of violent retaliation made collecting evidence and finding the pair difficult. Two weeks ago, a break in the case led to Jenkins’ arrest. The other fugitive – Pierre-Charles – remains at large.

In 2006, the initial person of interest in the case had been Jeremy “Grimy” Henry, a man with a long criminal record and the leader of a gang of young men he called his “Posse.” Henry, it was believed, could have orchestrated the teen killings, as well as a number of other shootings that summer. But when Henry turned up dead – shot in the back execution-style -- investigators focused on the two likely triggermen. Both of the young suspects had close ties to Henry’s so-called Posse. Henry reportedly identified Pierre-Charles and Jenkins as the lacrosse players’ killers during interviews with Deputy Sheriffs prior to his own death. Officials with the Pasco County Florida Sheriff’s Office say the murder of Jeremy Henry is directly linked to those of the high school students.

After Jenkins’ arrest two weeks ago, the Pasco County Sheriff determined that capturing the remaining fugitive would be much trickier. In May, Pierre-Charles was questioned during a routine traffic stop and when his driver’s license check turned up several assault and armed burglary charges, he attacked a Deputy Sheriff, shook off a Taser charge, and escaped. Pasco County officials turned to the U.S. Marshals to help with a nationwide pursuit and asked that Pierre-Charles be placed on the 15 MOST WANTED list.

“He carries a gun, he is a suspect in numerous violent crimes – several involving gangland-style executions, and he has a history of armed offenses,” said Director John F. Clark, Director of the United States Marshals Service. “Luc Pierre-Charles Jr., is one of the most violent fugitives currently at large in America, and we need the help of anyone who believes they know where he is hiding.”

Luc Pierre-Charles Jr., is a 20-year-old African American male who stands 6’2” tall, weighs 185 pounds, has brown eyes and a medium brown skintone. He has no known tattoos or scars. Pierre-Charles is wanted by the U.S. Marshals and Florida authorities on multiple charges including: murder in the 1st degree – two counts; armed home invasion; aggravated assault; battery on a police officer, and; unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. A $25,000 reward is offered for information leading directly to his arrest.

If you have information about Luc Pierre-Charles’ whereabouts, immediately contact your nearest U.S. Marshals office or call the Marshals 24-hour hotline at 1-800-336-0102.

     Wanted Poster for Luc Pierre-Charles Jr.

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