FBI Arrests Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive After $1 Million Reward

KaShawn Nicola Roper apprehended in Florida less than 24 hours after being added to the FBI's Most Wanted list

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:43pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent shell casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence from a violent crime.A dramatic close-up of physical evidence from a violent crime scene highlights the gritty, investigative nature of this high-profile fugitive case.High Springs Today

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested KaShawn Nicola Roper, a 50-year-old female fugitive, in High Springs, Florida, just one day after adding her to the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list and offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her capture. Roper had been on the run for around six years after allegedly shooting and killing a woman in Kansas City, Missouri in 2020.

Why it matters

The swift arrest of a dangerous fugitive on the FBI's Most Wanted list highlights the effectiveness of offering large rewards and the coordination between local and federal law enforcement to quickly apprehend high-profile suspects who pose a threat to public safety.

The details

Authorities accused Roper of shooting at a vehicle in Kansas City, Missouri in August 2020, resulting in the death of a woman in the car. She was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon in September 2020, but then allegedly fled the state before law enforcement could catch up with her. The FBI suspected Roper was constantly moving to evade arrest and had connections in Texas, Colorado and Georgia. After the FBI added Roper to the Top Ten Most Wanted list on Tuesday and offered a $1 million reward, several tips led to her being apprehended during a traffic stop by the High Springs Police Department in Florida the very next day.

  • In August 2020, Roper allegedly shot at a vehicle in Kansas City, Missouri, resulting in a woman's death.
  • In September 2020, Roper was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
  • In 2021, a federal warrant for Roper's arrest was issued for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
  • On Tuesday, April 16, 2026, the FBI added Roper to the Top Ten Most Wanted list and offered a $1 million reward.
  • On Wednesday, April 17, 2026, Roper was arrested in High Springs, Florida, less than 24 hours after being added to the Most Wanted list.

The players

KaShawn Nicola Roper

A 50-year-old female fugitive who had been on the run for around six years after allegedly shooting and killing a woman in Kansas City, Missouri in 2020.

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which added Roper to its Top Ten Most Wanted list and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her capture.

High Springs Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that apprehended Roper during a traffic stop in High Springs, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“This kind of seamless coordination is critical to ensuring dangerous individuals are taken off the streets. Given the serious and dangerous nature of her alleged crimes, her presence in the community posed an ongoing threat that we could not ignore.”

— Jason Carley, FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge

What’s next

Roper will be extradited from Florida to Missouri to face charges related to the 2020 shooting incident.

The takeaway

The swift arrest of a dangerous fugitive on the FBI's Most Wanted list through a large reward and coordination between local and federal law enforcement demonstrates the effectiveness of these tactics in quickly apprehending high-profile suspects who pose a threat to public safety.