Ohio Man Arrested for Double Homicide in West Virginia

Kevante White, 27, of Akron, Ohio, faces charges for murders in Huntington, WV

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 27-year-old man from Akron, Ohio has been arrested and is awaiting extradition to West Virginia on charges of first-degree murder and malicious wounding in connection with a double homicide that took place in Huntington, WV on February 20, 2026. Kevante White was found and apprehended in Stark County, Ohio on February 23, 2026 with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies.

Why it matters

Violent crimes like this double homicide are concerning for the Huntington community, raising questions about public safety and the need for stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies across state lines to apprehend dangerous suspects. The case also highlights the challenges of tracking down suspects who flee across state borders.

The details

According to the Huntington Police Department, White is accused of fatally shooting Adrian Phillips and Derious Johnson in the early morning hours of February 20, 2026 in the 300 block of 14th Street in Huntington. A third victim was also shot and is in stable condition at a local hospital. After the shootings, White reportedly traveled to his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Warrants were obtained for White's arrest on February 21, 2026 and he was located and apprehended two days later with the assistance of the US Marshals Service and the Stark County Sheriff's Office in Ohio.

  • The double homicide occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • Warrants for White's arrest were obtained on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • White was found and arrested on Sunday, February 23, 2026 in Stark County, Ohio.

The players

Kevante White

A 27-year-old man from Akron, Ohio who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of malicious wounding in connection with a double homicide in Huntington, West Virginia.

Adrian Phillips

One of the two victims fatally shot in the February 20, 2026 incident in Huntington, West Virginia.

Derious Johnson

One of the two victims fatally shot in the February 20, 2026 incident in Huntington, West Virginia.

Huntington Police Department

The law enforcement agency leading the investigation into the double homicide and apprehending the suspect, Kevante White.

US Marshals Service

The federal law enforcement agency that assisted in locating and arresting Kevante White in Ohio.

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What they’re saying

“We must work together across jurisdictions to ensure dangerous suspects like Kevante White are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.”

— Robert Jenkins, Huntington Police Chief (wvnstv.com)

What’s next

White will be held as a fugitive from justice in Ohio until he is extradited to West Virginia to face the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies in different states to track down suspects who flee across state lines after committing violent crimes. It also underscores the importance of quickly issuing arrest warrants and utilizing federal resources like the US Marshals Service to apprehend dangerous individuals.