ARREST MADE IN SUMMERFIELD MURDER INVESTIGATION

MARION COUNTY, Florida (September 26, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives have arrested 36-year old Jake Napier (DOB: 06/28/1982) for the murder of Walter Russell Elliott which occurred in July of 2018. During their investigation, MCSO Major Crimes detectives discovered surveillance video that depicted Napier shooting and killing the victim.

On July 28, 2018, at approximately 1:00 p.m., MCSO deputies were called to 5495 Southeast 145 Street in reference to a man being shot and set on fire. Deputies responded and found victim Elliott deceased in a workshop located under a pole barn on the property. MCSO Major Crimes detectives responded and began their investigation. It was later determined that Elliott’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and that his body was set on fire after his death. During their investigation, detectives discovered surveillance cameras in the workshop which captured the murder on camera. The footage showed the victim sitting in a chair at the workshop with Napier and several other witnesses in the room. Napier suddenly shoots the victim in the head and the witnesses scattered. Napier is then seen pouring accelerant on the victim and the surrounding area, and setting the victim on fire.

After the murder, Napier fled to Texas, where he was later captured and arrested for a Marion County warrant for Arson and Tampering with Evidence. He was transported from Texas to the Marion County Jail and given no bond. Detectives charged Napier with Second Degree Murder on Tuesday afternoon.