U.S. Marshals Arrest Murder Fugitive in 2022 Shooting Near Roxborough High School

Philadelphia, PA - On October 23rd, at approximately 1:45 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, arrested Dayron Burney-Thorn, 17, in the 200 block of West Walnut Lane in Philadelphia. Burney-Thorn was wanted for the September 27th, 2022, shooting death of a 14-year-old juvenile which occurred near Roxborough High School. He was also wanted for a separate homicide which occurred on September 26th, 2022, in the 600 block of N. 13th street in Philadelphia.

For the past few months, Deputy Marshals had developed information Burney-Thorn may be back in the Philadelphia area. Early this morning, investigators developed information Burney-Thorn may be presently in an apartment in the 200 block of West Walnut Lane in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. At approximately 1:45 p.m., members of the fugitive task force surrounded the apartment complex and knocked and announced their presence.  After attempting to stall investigators, Burney-Thorn opened an exterior window of the 4th floor apartment and jumped out in an attempt to flee. Task Force Officers who were on the ground then struggled with Burney-Thorn before he was successfully placed in custody. Burney-Thorn was then transported by Philadelphia medics to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Eric Gartner, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania stated, “Burney-Thorn’s capture sends a clear message that we never cease in our pursuit of bringing violent fugitives to justice. Our thoughts remain with Meredith Elizalde, who lost her only son Nicholas in this tragic murder, and hope this last arrest can bring some closure to Nicolas’ classmates and teammates at Roxborough High School.” 

The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives. Membership agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole Officers, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General Agents, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Chester Police Department, Bucks County Sheriffs, and Delaware County Sheriffs.