Hunt Continues For Fugitive Who Murdered 18-Year-Old Na'Kia Crawford In Ohio

Investigators say Adarus Black has connections to Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan and California. His arms are covered in tattoos. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call or text the IN PURSUIT hotline. John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

October 13, 2021

Adarus Black [FBI]

Adarus Black [FBI]

By: Michelle Sigona

On June 14, 2020, investigators say 18-year-old Na'Kia Crawford was spending time with her grandmother. The pair were running errands around town in Akron, OH when gunfire rang out. The bullets struck Na'Kia's vehicle as the pair were at the stoplight.

Victim Na'Kia Crawford [Family photos]

Victim Na'Kia Crawford [Family photos]

Investigators say a white Malibu was hit many times and Na'Kia was found badly injured. When police arrived on the scene, Na'Kia's grandmother was able to tell authorities a car pulled up next to them just before bullets hit the vehicle.

Detectives scoured the area and were able to find video which led them down the path of a possible suspect vehicle - a black Chevy Camaro. According to the video, it appeared the shots were fired from the passenger side of that vehicle toward Na’Kia.

There were many questions that needed to be answered. Was there a fight of some sort? Could this have been road rage? Did Na'Kia know the shooter?

With the help of witnesses and through an intense investigation, detectives arrived upon the trail of a young teen named Adarus Black. Within days an arrest warrant was issued, but Black was nowhere to be found. US Marshals and investigators executed a search warrant at his home. They said Black left a rifle and rounds of ammunition behind, and he was long gone. Black had at least a four day head start.

Detectives said they tried to find a connection of any sort between Na'Kia and Black, but they did not know one another. According to investigators it seems the alleged murder may have been a case of mistaken identity. Black was apparently trying to find a different white Malibu, after people in a vehicle like Na’Kia’s got into an argument with him earlier in the day.

Lisette Williams, Na'Kia's mom, told IN PURSUIT, "I feel lost and I don't sleep much at night. I am suffering, still trying to get to the next day. She was just such a bright person and he took all of that away from me and my family. He stole my everything from me. My life will never be the same."

If you have any information on Adarus Black's whereabouts, please call or text the IN PURSUIT hotline. He was only 17-years-old when he fled in June 2020. John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

Adarus Black [FBI]

Adarus Black [FBI]

HEIGHT: 5'6 - 5'9

WEIGHT: 158 - 170 pounds

HAIR: Black

EYES: Brown

RACE/SEX: Black male

DOB: November 9, 2002

CONNECTIONS TO: Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan and California

CHARACTERISTICS: Tattoo sleeves on both of his arms, two lines tattooed on the top of his chest. The first line: "Death Before Dishonor". The second line: "Loyalty Trust Respect".

Black was shot in 2019 and has scars on his stomach

Read more: FBI, Beacon Journal

Next Up

Three Men Charged In Killing Of Hip-Hop Legend Jam Master Jay

The Run-DMC DJ was shot to death in a Queens recording studio in October 2002.

5 Key Facts About The Jessica Chambers Murder Case

Jessica Chambers suffered an agonizing death: Firefighters saw her walking toward them, wearing only her underwear & burned over 93 percent of her body.

Fugitive Added To FBI Top 10 Most Wanted, Up To $1 Million Reward

The FBI says Jose Rodolfo Villarreal-Hernandez has ties to Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City, Mexico and could allegedly be linked to more than 10 murders in Mexico. He stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds and is considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Missing Ohio Woman Found Buried In Backyard, Boyfriend Turns Himself In

23-year-old Adrianna Taylor was reported missing on Nov. 13, 2022. Her body was found 11 days later on Thanksgiving night.

Believe It Or Not, Scott Peterson, Convicted Wife-Killer, Has Groupies

Since Peterson first got arrested in 2003, admirers have continually loaded his prison bank account with donations.

Two Years After The Death Of George Floyd, Here Are The Developments In His Case

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, 46, was murdered in Minneapolis by 44-year-old police officer Derek Chauvin. Three other police officers were implicated in Floyd’s death.

Omaima Nelson: The Model Who Killed, Castrated & Ate Her Husband For Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day 1991, Nelson unleashed her fury, she claimed, over the sexual terror and other abuses to which her husband Bill had subjected her.

The Twists And Turns Of The Infamous Susan Smith Case

On October 25, 1994, the 23-year-old South Carolina mother drowned her two young children.

Featured Cases

More Missing