Marine Manhunt: Police In Virginia And North Carolina Seek Deserter Accused Of Murdering Mother’s Boyfriend

Police in Virginia and North Carolina are partnering on a manhunt for a Marine accused of murder.

Michael Alexander Brown, 22, who had deserted his post at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, is believed to be responsible for the death of 54-year-old Rodney Brown, his mother’s boyfriend. Rodney Brown on Saturday was found shot dead in his home in Hardy, Virginia, which is about 10 miles from Roanoke.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office said Michael Brown is "armed with a high-powered rifle and may have access to other weapons."

Michael Brown reportedly deserted the Marine camp on Oct. 18. He was last spotted on surveillance in an unspecified Brown County store. He is believed to currently be driving a black 2008 Lincoln Town Car, possibly with North Carolina plates reading “EHP 4877.”

Police responded to a call about shooting Saturday. Michael Brown’s mother, whose name has not been released, found the body of her boyfriend and called the police.

Soon after they declared him a prime suspect, police obtained a warrant for Michael Brown’s arrest, but have declined to specify what led them to this conclusion. He is believed to have left the home in a white 1976 Cadillac that he has since abandoned.

“He could be anywhere,” Captain Phillip Young of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement to the media.

The base camp that Michael Brown deserted is located roughly 300 miles southeast of Hardy. While he was living in Franklin County since his desertion, he was not living with his mother and her boyfriend and authorities are not sure where he was residing. Authorities are also unsure what his motive for the killing might be at this time.