Manhunt ends with arrest of suspected Harlem Heights murderer

FORT MYERS, Fla. –  The suspect accused of gunning down local father,  41-year-old Tyrone “Jason Bone” Morse, has been arrested following a statewide manhunt.

Timothy Dortch, Jr., 24, was hiding out at a Motel 6 in Spring Hill, authorities said. The convicted felon was captured by fugitive task force with the U.S. Marshals before 5 p.m. Thursday, according to authorities.

Dortch was a wanted man in connection to the May 11 murder of Morse and was identified through Crime Stoppers last week.

He will be booked in Hernando County Jail where he will face second degree murder charges on top of two counts of aggravated assault, authorities said. He will be transferred to Lee County Jail, but authorities have not provided a set date.

Dortch was arrested in 2009 for homicide, according to Lee County arrest records.

He is accused of killing Morse in shooting that neighbors said began as a small argument.  Those close to Morse said they knew his alleged killer before a suspect was identified.

Morse was a father of six and well known among the Harlem Heights community. His death sent a shock of grief through his neighborhood at the 4700 block of Duera Mae Drive where people cried and begged for answers immediately after the announcement of his death.

 

The local father is also noted as mentoring star athletes in his neighborhood, namely Jayron Kearse, who was recently drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.