Murder Suspect Captured In West Haven: U.S. Marshals

WEST HAVEN, CT — A man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting on Christmas Eve in Maryland was captured in West Haven on Tuesday, according to officials.

Michael Crawford, 52, of Maryland, was found hiding out at a home on Gregory Lane in West Haven, according to Supervisor Deputy Matthew Duffy of the U.S. Marshals.

Duffy said Crawford was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals Capitol Area Fugitive Task Force, and the West Haven Police Department.

Crawford was wanted out of Prince George’s County in Maryland on murder and other charges stemming from a Dec. 24 shooting that killed one man, according to Duffy.

Duffy said Crawford was identified as the assailant in the Christmas Eve shooting, which happened around 11:20 p.m. in the 2900 block of Ritchie Road in the District Heights area in Maryland.

Kevin Simmons, 53, of District Heights, was found with gunshot wounds inside a residence. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Duffy.

A warrant for Crawford’s arrest charges him with first-and-second-degree murder, first-and-second-degree assault, use of a firearm by a felon, reckless endangerment, and carrying a loaded handgun on his person.

Crawford was taken to the West Haven Police Department, where he will be held pending extradition to Maryland, according to Duffy.