Man Wanted for Killing 19-Year-Old Female and Injuring Juvenile Arrested by U.S. Marshals

Cleveland, OH – Today, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Joseph Harris Jr., 20.  Harris was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder.

On February 1, 2026, officers with the Cleveland Division of Police – Fourth District, responded to a shooting incident near the 7000 block of Gertrude Ave. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive female in the living room who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. That female, identified as Crystal Pittman, 19, was pronounced on scene by EMS. A second female juvenile victim suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the back and was transported to MetroHealth for her injuries. Harris was later identified as a suspect in this deadly incident, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Today, members of the NOVFTF arrested Harris at an apartment in the 4300 block of Northfield Road, Cleveland, OH. As task force members were attempting to arrest Harris inside the apartment he was attempting to flush a handgun down the toilet. A search warrant was executed for the residence after the arrest, and the firearm was seized.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Today was another safe arrest of a violent fugitive with a firearm for our task force. Every day the men and women of our fugitive task force knowingly put themselves at risk to take dangerous fugitives off the street.”

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.