A Kansas City woman’s time on the run ended abruptly on Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after her name was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
KaShawn Nicola Roper, who had been sought for nearly six years, was taken into custody without incident in High Springs, Florida, around 10:30 a.m. local time.
The arrest was the result of a massive joint effort between the High Springs Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals.
Following the FBI’s Tuesday announcement—which included a reward of up to $1 million—investigators in Florida began following up on leads and credible public tips.
High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard noted that his officers eventually encountered and apprehended Roper during what began as a routine traffic stop.
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Roper had been a fugitive since a shooting on August 23, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities allege that during an altercation, Roper fired into a car, hitting two women and killing one of them.
By September 2020, she was charged in Jackson County with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. A federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution followed in July 2021.
“From the moment we received information that Roper may be in our area, we surged into action,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley, emphasizing that her presence in the community posed an ongoing threat. Acting FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile credited the “powerful partnership between the public and law enforcement” for the swift capture, noting that the “Top Ten” list continues to prove its value after 75 years.
Local officials in Missouri expressed relief at the news. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson stated that the arrest gives a “grieving family hope that one day justice will be served,” while Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves called the 24-hour turnaround a testament to the “strength and connectivity of American law enforcement.”
Despite the high-profile nature of the capture, officials reminded the public that the charges against Roper are currently only accusations. Evidence must still be presented to a trial jury to determine her guilt or innocence.
Roper is expected to be extradited back to Missouri to face the pending state and federal charges. Alachua County Sheriff Chad D. Scott confirmed that after years of searching, the “alleged violent fugitive” is now behind bars.
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