Nearly a hundred federal, state and local police officers are part of a manhunt for a fugitive in Richland County that started Sunday evening.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, US Marshals and several other law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect in Mansfield. Dozens of police officers were on the ground searching wooded areas inch by inch.
OSHP believes wanted fugitive Shawn Christy, 27, of Pennsylvania, was involved in a crash on I-71 near mile marker 170 Sunday and he fled from the vehicle.
"We're working on gathering video," said Brian Fitzgibbon with the United States Marshal Service. They hope that video will positively link Christy to the car that was abandoned on the side of the highway.
Christy is wanted by the FBI, the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Marshals for threatening to harm a police chief, other law enforcement officers, a district attorney and President Donald Trump.
"Shawn Christy is an FBI investigation out of Philadelphia," said Special Agent Vicki Anderson. He has made numerous threats against politicians, law enforcement and a recent threat against the President, she said.
On Monday, several schools in the Mansfield area were closed because of safety concerns, but not all schools closed. Arenda Miller, however, kept her three children home on Monday. "We have an alarm system turned on, dogs are here, we feel safe that way," said Miller.
Along with OSHP, U.S. Marshals, Mansfield Police Department, Mansfield SWAT and Richland County Sheriff’s office are searching the area of 71 between exit 13 and exit 39.
On Sunday morning, Christy allegedly stole a truck from the area of McAdoo, Pa. At approximately 4:45 p.m., Christy crashed along 71 in the Mansfield area. The vehicle has been recovered.
The crashed happened just before the Route 13 interchange on I-71 in Mansfield.
According to the FBI’s Most Wanted website, Christy allegedly posted threats on Facebook between June 3 and June 12 saying he was going to shoot President Trump in the head and was going to use “lethal force” on any law enforcement officer attempting to detain him.
Authorities also say Christy also made threats to the Northampton County district attorney, stating, “Keep it up Morganelli, I promise I’ll put a bullet in your head as soon as I put one in the head of President Donald J. Trump.”
Christy's father also apparently posted a plea on Facebook for his son to turn himself in to local authorities but cautioned him against speaking to U.S. Marshals.
Screenshot showing a Facebook post from Shawn Christy's father.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Christy in Pennsylvania on June 19 after he was charged with Interstate Communication of Threats and Threats Against the President of the United States.
Christy should be considered armed and dangerous. Authorities are asking those in the area of Mansfield to use caution and remain inside with their homes and their cars locked.
SHAWN CHRISTY: @OSHP Lt. Amy Ivy says at this point they're not sure what kind of shape wanted fugitive Shawn Christy may be in following yesterdays's crash. Encouraging everyone near Mansfield area to use caution & to lock homes & cars. Be on the lookout for anything missing. pic.twitter.com/saNIl5BxOC
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) September 17, 2018
Christy is 5-10, weighs approximately 160 pounds, is a white male with a light complexion and has a tattoo of a cross on his right upper arm. He has short dark blonde hair and a beard. Christy also speaks with a noticeable lisp and claims to be a survivalist.
The U.S. Marshal Service is asking anyone with information on this vehicle to call 911 or the U.S. Marshals direct at 1-866-4-WANTED or text keyword WANTED and the tip to TIP411 (847411). Federal agents are offering a cash award of up to $20,000 for information leading to the direct arrest of Christy. Any information will be considered confidential.
