ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606260051
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
NOTE: Above
A 23-YEAR-OLD fugitive wanted in the killing Saturday of his ex-girlfriend was found at his mother's house in Charlotte, N.C.
A fugitive wanted on charges of gunning down his ex-girlfriend in the middle of a Northwest Roanoke street was captured Tuesday afternoon at his mother's house in Charlotte, N.C.
Aquilia Marcibicci Barnette, 23, remained in FBI custody late Tuesday in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Jail, charged with murder in the shooting death of Robin Williams. Maj. J.L. Viar of the Roanoke Police Department said Barnette admitted to authorities that he killed his ex-girlfriend.
Barnette also was charged with murder and robbery in connection with the death of a 22-year-old South Carolina man missing since Friday. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Capt. Dixon Skipper, the body of Donald Allen of McConnells was found Tuesday in a wooded area near a west Charlotte intersection.
Police believe Barnette murdered Allen, stole his car and drove it to Roanoke to find Williams.
At 7:10 a.m. Saturday, Williams was at her mother's house on Loudon Avenue Northwest. Police say her killer shot his way into the house, then chased her into the street. As he caught up to her, police say, he fired his shotgun. Williams suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and back, according to the medical examiner.
"I am relieved that he is captured," said Robin Williams' mother, Bertha Williams. "I know my baby is lost from me forever. But at least he's not walking free, and he can't hurt anyone else."
Roanoke police, FBI, Charlotte police and Virginia State Police were involved in the hunt for Barnette. Two major breaks this week resulted in his arrest.
Monday night, Charlotte police recovered the car witnesses said they saw Barnette driving in Roanoke on Saturday. The dark blue Honda Prelude was found in an east Charlotte parking lot. A shotgun was in a nearby trash bin. Authorities are testing the weapon to see if it was the one used to kill Williams.
Tuesday afternoon, a member of Barnette's family alerted the FBI that Barnette was at his mother's house.
Williams broke off her relationship with Barnette shortly before her Northeast Roanoke apartment was firebombed April 30. Williams escaped, but she suffered burns to her hand and arm.
Barnette was charged with attempted murder and arson in connection with the incident, but he eluded police.
Williams moved to her mother's home and was recuperating from skin grafts. She lived in fear of her ex-boyfriend, neighbors said.
Three weeks ago, Barnette again made his presence known. Love letters Williams had written to Barnette appeared taped to her car, Bertha Williams said. The car was parked at Williams' brother's house on Leon Street Northwest.
Barnette had scrawled messages to Williams on the letters and cards, phrases such as "I love you" and "It didn't have to be this way," her mother said.
Williams' funeral is today. Barnette is expected to go before a federal magistrate for arraignment this morning in Charlotte.
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