Ten Most Wanted Fugitive KaShawn Nicola Roper Apprehended in Florida
Roper captured less than one day after she was announced as having been placed on the list
KANSAS CITY, Missouri / April 15, 2026 – KaShawn Nicola Roper, previously of Kansas City, Missouri, was apprehended in High Springs, Florida,
without incident on April 15, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. The arrest was made by the High Springs Police Department with assistance from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Office and done in partnership with Alachua County’s Warrants Unit Task Force. The arrest was made following tips related to yesterday’s announcement.
“The High Springs Police Department commends the strong collaboration between local and federal law enforcement partners in this case. This outcome reflects the importance of coordinated efforts, shared intelligence, and mutual trust in protecting our communities. We are especially proud of the professionalism and vigilance demonstrated by our HSPD officers during a routine traffic stop,” said High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard.
“I’m proud of the collaboration that made this arrest possible,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “From the moment we received information that Roper may be in our area, we surged into action, working in lockstep with our law enforcement partners to quickly track, locate, and apprehend her. This kind of seamless coordination is critical to ensuring dangerous individuals are taken off the streets. Given the serious and dangerous nature of her alleged crimes, her presence in the community posed an ongoing threat that we could not ignore. We all have a shared commitment to public safety and together, we will continue to relentlessly pursue fugitives and hold them accountable."
“After more than 75 years, the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list continues to prove its enduring value. By fostering a powerful partnership between the public and law enforcement, the list continues to play a vital role in identifying and apprehending dangerous fugitives. We would like to thank all our law enforcement partners here and in Florida. We also commend the members of the public who assisted in today's efforts, and we are deeply grateful for the community's support in this matter,” said Acting FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile.
“Each and every day, the men and women of our agency serve this community with courage, honor, and professionalism. Through the skilled and relentless work of our Warrants Investigators, critical intelligence was developed and shared, leading to the capture of an alleged violent fugitive who is now behind bars,” said Alachua County Sheriff Chad D. Scott.
KaShawn Nicola Roper is wanted for her alleged involvement in a shooting on August 23, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. During an altercation, it is alleged that Roper fired multiple shots at a car which struck two female victims, resulting in the death of one of them. On September 10, 2020, Roper was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon in the 16th Judicial Circuit, Jackson County, Missouri, and a state warrant was issued for her arrest. On July 1, 2021, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Roper in the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, after she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
The charges mentioned are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Questions regarding the prosecution of these charges can be directed to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office.
On April 14, 2026, the FBI announced that Roper had been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and that the FBI was offering an up-to-$1-million reward for information.
Around the same time, FBI Jacksonville received information regarding Roper’s potential location in the area and began to pursue investigative leads with assistance from the Gainesville Police Department. Following the FBI’s announcement, credible tips were received which resulted in the apprehension of Roper by the High Springs Police Department.
"Ms. Roper's arrest is a result of the power of partnership on all levels and the power of a public that refuses to accept violence as a reality. Speaking up can keep you and your family and community safe but also gives a grieving family hope that one day justice will be served," said Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. "We're grateful to interim Special Agent in Charge Jeff Berkebile, the FBI's Kansas City Field Office, the Kansas City Police Department, the High Springs Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Marshals Service that has worked tirelessly to locate Ms. Roper. Six years later, Ms. Roper will now face the full weight of accountability for her alleged actions in 2020."
“Today’s capture of KaShawn Roper from Kansas City, Missouri, who was put on FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list less than 24 hours ago, is a testament to the strength and connectivity of American law enforcement,” said Kansas City Missouri Police Chief Stacey Graves. “I am proud of the great work of all law enforcement involved, which culminated in the swift capture of Roper. Furthermore, I am thankful for the longstanding partnership between the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the FBI.”
“We will always work closely and cooperatively with all our law enforcement partners to keep our community safe and take violent criminals off our streets,” said Gainesville Police Department Chief Nelson Moya. "This arrest highlights the power of collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement partners," said Acting Commander Marty West with the U.S. Marshals Service. "We are grateful to be part of the team that apprehended this fugitive."
FBI Kansas City credits the High Springs Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals for their assistance in the apprehension of Roper. Investigative work on the case was provided by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, the US Marshals Service and FBI’s KC Metro Violent Crime Task Force.
The case is also being managed by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
The FBI also thanks the public for their attention in this matter.
To protect the privacy of individuals and to ensure the public’s continued cooperation and incentivization for future assistance, the FBI does not confirm the identity of individuals who assist the FBI by providing information or share whether or not reward money is paid, to whom, and in what amounts. The FBI offers monetary rewards to incentivize the public to come forward with tips and information when they have information that law enforcement is seeking to further an investigation and keep the public safe. The FBI has paid reward money to tipsters who have provided valuable information and continues to do so. Receiving tips from the public remains one of the FBI’s best tools in preventing, detecting, and deterring crime.
Since the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list's establishment in March 1950, 541 fugitives have appeared on the list, and 502 have been apprehended, with 164 based on the public’s help. Roper’s apprehension marks the 502nd fugitive apprehended and the 164th as a result of citizen cooperation.
FBI Kansas City and FBI Jacksonville
Media Representative Dixon Land (Kansas City)
Main Office: 816-512-8200
Public Affairs: media.kansascity@fbi.gov
Media Representative Catherine Coennen (Jacksonville)
Main Office: 904-248-7000
Public Affairs: ccoennen@fbi.gov
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
