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Akron Man Arrested for Double Murder in West Virginia

2/23/2026

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Center

White Arrested for Murder

Kevante White, a 27-year-old Akron man, was arrested February 22 in Canton, Ohio, on two counts of first-degree murder for February 20 killings of Adrian Phillips and Derious Johnson in Huntington, West Virginia.
A third victim survived and is in stable condition.
White, on parole for prior offenses, was captured by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
He will remain in Stark County jail until extradited to West Virginia.

Right

Lawson Jr. Charged with Murder

Thomas Jeffrey Lawson Jr., 33, was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing his father, Thomas Lawson Sr., on February 21 in Iaeger, West Virginia.
Investigators found a chainsaw at the scene.
Lawson Sr. had a revolver that was not fired.
Lawson Jr. was arrested February 22 at the Mardi Gras Casino in Nitro and charged with indecent exposure.
He has a history of gambling addiction.

History

Historical Context

In the early 1990s, the U.S. faced a surge in violent crime, peaking in 1990 with over 1.5 million incidents reported. This crisis, exacerbated by the crack cocaine epidemic, marked a significant period in urban crime history. Recent cases in West Virginia involving Kevante White and Thomas Lawson Jr. reflect ongoing challenges in addressing violent crime, underscoring the need for effective law enforcement strategies.

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White Arrested for Murder

Kevante White, a 27-year-old Akron man, was arrested February 22 in Canton, Ohio, on two counts of first-degree murder for February 20 killings of Adrian Phillips and Derious Johnson in Huntington, West Virginia.
A third victim survived and is in stable condition.
White, on parole for prior offenses, was captured by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
He will remain in Stark County jail until extradited to West Virginia.

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