$10K Reward for Largo Murder Suspect, 'Career Criminal'

Authorities say they know who's responsible for a deadly Largo shooting during what they describe as a drug deal gone wrong, and after the suspect failed to turn himself in, they're posting a $10,000 reward for his capture.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced Monday the reward for information leading to the arrest of Eddie Jonathan Todd Walker, 24, who officials call a "career criminal" and say should be considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities signed a first-degree murder warrant last week for Walker, based on information from witnesses to an April 5 shooting in unincorporated Largo that left Terrance Benar Thomas, 38, dead.

Detectives say the two men got into a dispute over the quality of cocaine Thomas hold sold Walker. They say Walker , leaving him to die in the street near his home in the 700 block of Patterson Street.

Detectives attempted to arrest Walker last Thursday night after locating him at a convenience store in the Ridgecrest area, according to officials, but he was able to flee on foot and break a perimeter deputies had set up.

Walker's lawyer told authorities he would turn himself in over the weekend, but when he failed to do so, "detectives decided to go forward with the reward offer in order to get Walker off the street," Gualtieri said. "Someone knows where he is and can help us."

Walker is described as a black man, 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds with a short, close haircut and a short beard.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call 727-582-TIPS (8477). The reward is for information leading to Walker's arrest and will be taken from drug forfeiture funds, the sheriff's office said.

Walker served a year and a half in prison on gun charges and for fleeing a law enforcement officer, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. He was released in October 2012.

He was also picked up by local law enforcement several times since 2007 on charges including obstruction, possession of marijuana and cocaine, domestic battery of a pregnant woman and carrying a conceled firearm, records show.

His last known address was an address in Seminole, authorities said.