Federal and local law enforcement arrested a Michigan man who was wanted for attempted murder in connection with a shooting in downtown Morgantown.
Jaja Kiambu Fitzpatrick, 47, was arrested around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at an apartment on Luke Street, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. The Morgantown Police Department, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted.
Fitzpatrick is accused of shooting a man on Nov. 17 on Chestnut Street, the Marshals Service said. A warrant for his arrest was issued Nov. 22.
MPD Chief Ed Preston said the shooting happened after an argument at a downtown bar about 3:30 a.m.
The group involved in the argument left and walked toward the parking garage on Chestnut Street. The victim was waiting for his friend to bring a car around so they could leave, Preston said. While he was waiting, a silver Ford Flex, driven by a tall, heavy-set black man, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans, stopped the vehicle, got out, and shot the victim in the arm.
The victim ran away and was later treated at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital before being released, Preston said.
The Dominion Post is not currently naming the victim.
Detectives with the MPD requested assistance from the Marshals Service in January and the agency began searching for Fitzpatrick, it said.
Supervisory Deputy US Marshal Terry Moore said he couldn’t answer how the Marshals found Fitzpatrick.
Deputy Marshals spotted Fitzpatrick on Wednesday morning while conducting surveillance. Because of the violent nature of his charge and the fact that he could be armed, the Monongalia County Special Weapons and Tactics team was requested to assist in the arrest, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
The team entered the apartment and Fitzpatrick was arrested without incident.
Fitzpatrick was arraigned by Magistrate Sandy Holepit on Wednesday. He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bond.
