Columbus Murder Suspect Who Fled From Police in Strongsville Arrested by U.S. Marshals
Cleveland, OH / August 07, 2026 – Late this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested LezLeon Evans, 20. Evans was wanted by the Columbus Police Department for murder.
Evans is wanted in connection to the shooting death of 25-year-old Lamar Ross. Ross was found with multiple gunshot wounds on North High St. in Columbus. A warrant for Evans was issued approximately a month after the shooting. Members of the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) began working the fugitive investigation into Evans.
U.S. Marshal Michael Black from the Southern District of Ohio stated, “Columbus Police and members of SOFAST worked diligently on this case, following leads across the country in an attempt to locate this suspect.”
On July 7, 2026, members of the Strongsville Police Department encountered a male and female in the area of the Sheetz gas station and Best Western Hotel on Route 82 in Strongsville. At the time of the encounter the male, who was later identified as Evans, provided false information about his identity. After finding his correct identity, officers attempted to arrest him, and he fled into the woods. Additional law enforcement officers and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) responded to the area to search for Evans. However, he was not located that day.
Members of SOFAST and the NOVFTF continued to follow leads and conduct interviews across Ohio. Multiple tips were called in about possible sightings of Evans. Today, Evans was located in a home in the 12200 block of Mortimer Ave. in Cleveland. He was arrested there without incident. Evans will be booked into the Cuyahoga County jail until he can be extradited to Columbus to face the charges against him.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Incredible teamwork and dedication across the state to ensure a violent fugitive is taken off the street. Members of both communities can rest easier knowing he is behind bars.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at https://www.usmarshals.gov.
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Source: U.S. Marshals Service (usmarshals.gov)
