U.S. Marshals Arrest Murder Suspect

Charlotte, NC - The United States Marshals Service (USMS) Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) in coordination with the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) safely arrested a man, on January 23, 2024, wanted by the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office for attempted murder.   

Branson Williams, 21, was wanted in connection with attempted first-degree murder for shooting a male victim during a dispute that occurred January 9, 2024. The victim was left in a rear bed of a pickup truck on the 100 block of Will Dixon Road in Lawndale, NC to die, however, the victim survived.   

Investigators located Williams at a residence in an apartment complex on the 1600 block of Herman Avenue in Gastonia, NC. Law enforcement personnel surrounded the residence and performed a callout. Williams eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody. Williams was transported and turned over to the custody of the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office. 

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the apartment and seized three 9mm firearms and an unknown amount of fentanyl. 

The USMS Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in January 2018. The CRFTF has partnership agreements with more than 81 federal, state, and local agencies and operates in North Carolina and South Carolina. The CRFTF has apprehended more than 6,600 fugitives since its inception and is always striving to make communities safer. 

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov