WASHINGTON — Virginia police are searching for a Marine who has failed to report for duty at Camp Lejeune, N.C., since late last month and is believed to be responsible for the shooting death Saturday of his mother’s boyfriend.
Marine Cpl. Michael Alexander Brown, 22, is wanted on charges of second degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for his alleged role in the death of 54-year-old Rodney Brown at his Hardy, Va., home, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Rodney Brown was described by police as the “live-in boyfriend” of the wanted Marine’s mother.
Sheriff’s officials said Tuesday that they were working with agencies across Virginia and North Carolina — including local agencies, the FBI, U.S. marshals and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service — to locate Brown, who they believe might have fled the area after the murder. The law enforcement officials described Brown as armed and dangerous, and encouraged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 540-352-5139.
Sheriff’s officials said Brown was likely driving a black 2008 Lincoln Town Car, possibly with a North Carolina license plate, EHP-4877. He was last seen at a local gas station in Hardy in the hours after Rodney Brown’s death, police said.
“The public is reminded to use extreme caution if contact is made with Michael Brown and notify law enforcement immediately,” the department said in a statement, which also urged Brown to surrender.
Brown failed to show up for duty at Camp Lejeune on Oct. 24 and is considered absent without leave, Marine Capt. Robert Vachon said in a prepared statement. Brown, a combat engineer, was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Vachon said his unit was aware Brown was wanted by local law enforcement and vowed the Marine Corps would support any investigation.
“The Marine Corps and 2nd Marine Logistics Group do not tolerate any actions inconsistent with the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, and commitment,” Vachon said. “Second Marine Logistics Group takes this matter seriously and will provide additional releasable information as it becomes available.”
Brown’s hometown is listed as Hardy, about 9 miles southeast of Roanoke, Va. Neighbors told a local television station, WSLS 10 News, that Brown had lived in the area his entire life before enlisting in the Marines.
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