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Washington Co. Officers Arrest Homicide Suspect


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Update 2:33 p.m. A homicide suspect is in custody following a morning manhunt in Washington County.

Steven Leonhart is being held without bond at the Washington County jail on a charge of aggravated murder.
 
Sheriff Larry Mincks says officers arrested Leonhart, 35, at his home on Collins Road in Whipple around 9 a-m.
 
Mincks says officers had been looking for Leonhart after responding to a residence on Caywood Road outside Marietta around 7 this morning.
 
Leonhart was thought to be armed with a shotgun and dangerous.    
 
Deputies identified the victim as Williard Baker.
 
An initial court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Update 12:52 p.m. Sheriff Larry Mincks identified the homicide victim as Williard Baker.

Update: 10:10 a.m. A homicide suspect is in custody following a morning manhunt in Washington County.

Sheriff Larry Mincks says officers arrested Steven Leonhart, 35, at his home on Collins Road in Whipple around 9 a-m.

Leonhart was wanted on suspicion of murder.
 
Mincks says officers had been looking for Leonhart after responding to a residence on Caywood Road outside Marietta around 7 this morning.
 
Leonhart was thought to be armed and dangerous.    
 
Deputies are investigating the homicide and have identified the victim, but are waiting on family to be notified before releasing the name.
 
Mincks says no charges have been filed yet. An officer in the Washington County jail said Leonhart had no previous record of criminal activity.
 
The Marietta City Schools superintendent says schools have resumed normal activity after being placed on lockdown as a safety precaution during the search this morning.

Update 9:35 a.m. Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks says Steven Leonhart was arrested around 9 a.m. at his home on Collins Road in Whipple.

Mincks says officers detained Leonhart without incident and no charges have been filed yet, but Leonhart is being held on suspicion of murder.

An administrator with Marietta City Schools said the school buildings are no longer on lockdown.

The Washington County sheriff's office is looking for a homicide suspect they say is armed and dangerous.

Sheriff Larry Mincks says officers responded to a residence on Caywood Road near State Route 16 outside Marietta around 7 this morning.
 
Deputies say the person of interest is Stephen Leonhart and he is thought to have a shotgun.
 
Leonhart was last seen wearing a baseball hat, long-sleeved winter shirt and brown pants. He is 35 years old, weighs 155 pounds and has tattoos on his arms.
 
Mincks says Leonhart may be driving a white Bronco or red Ford F-150 pickup truck. Leonhart was seen driving north on Caywood Road.
 
Mincks stresses anyone who sees Leonhart should not approach him, but call local law enforcement instead.
 
Deputies are investigating the homicide and have identified the victim, but are waiting on family to be notified before releasing the identity.
 
Marietta City School Superintendent Dr. Harry Fleming says all schools are on lockdown as a safety precaution, though there are no schools near the Caywood Road area.  The schools will be locked down until administration receives word from Marietta Police, Fleming said.