WANTED | Edward Thomas; Christopher Route; Marc Carter
Spokane Police Major Crimes Unit with assistance from the Spokane Violent Crimes Gang Enforcement Team, have obtained arrest warrants for several individuals for their role in the January 17, 2010 homicide of John S. Williams. Williams was shot to death outside an apartment at 5405 N. Crestline.
A subsequent investigation revealed there had been a birthday party at Casey’s restaurant for Ronald Schuler, earlier in the evening on January 17. There was an after hours party at Schuler’s Crestline apartment. At one point during the after hours party, a physical altercation broke out between two rival gangs. Williams was assaulted by Edward L. Thomas, Eric Burton, Christopher J. Route, and Marc A. Carter. Schuler ordered the combatants to leave.
Members of one gang were leaving when they were approached by John Williams and another man. Williams confronted the two, and Edward Thomas began firing at Williams and the other man, with a Ruger mini 30 rifle. Williams fell to the ground and Thomas shot him again at close range. The murder weapon was thrown into the backseat of a vehicle. Thomas jumped into a different car driven by Cedric Burton and fled the area.
Edward Thomas has a warrant for 1st degree Murder and Attempted 1st degree Murder (of the man with Williams at the time of the shooting).
Cedric E. Burton and James C. Henderson have been booked into the Spokane County Jail for Conspiracy to commit 2nd degree Assault. A warrant has been issued for Marc A. Carter for Conspiracy to commit 2nd degree Assault. Investigators believe these three individuals conspired to assault an unnamed victim in a rival gang. John Williams was killed as a result of this conspiracy. Under the Washington State Felony Murder rule, if a violent felony is committed during the commission of a murder, the crime becomes 2nd degree Murder. (2nd degree Murder charges are pending.)
John E. Burton and Christopher J. Route have arrest warrants for 1st degree Rendering Criminal Assistance. John Burton and Christopher Route misled investigators and destroyed potential physical evidence during the course of the investigation. Eric Burton was arrested by members of SVCGET and SPD Patrol officers. Burton misled investigators and attempted to remove the murder weapon prior to the arrival of the police.
Cedric Burton was recently transported back to Spokane from Los Angeles, for a probation violation from the January 1, 2005 murder at 21 E. Lincoln (Crazy 8's).
Several other individuals were arrested on peripheral charges related to the January 17th incident. Ronald Schuler, the Crestline apartment tenant, was arrested during the execution of a search warrant for Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Justin A. Battle was arrested for Trafficking in Stolen Property and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Elexander R. Burgess was arrested for Possession of Stolen Property (a firearm) and Witness Tampering.
Antonio E. Cook was arrested for Trafficking in Stolen Property and a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
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What a waste of life of my husband he is truly missed by so many and he will never be forgotten. All the gangs that played a part in this you will be forgotten when your in jail. Stop running and turn yourself in. What happened if it was your wife, child, or any love one.
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