The suspect, Demarkus F. Hedges is currently at large, wanted for murder and considered armed and dangerous.
On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at approximately 2:18 AM, Boone County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to 3015 Silver Brook Drive in Burlington after receiving a report of a person who had sustained a gunshot wound.
Deputies arrived to find 16-year-old, Scarlett Tucker in a bedroom with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Deputies received reports that the suspected shooter, 18-year-old, Demarkus F. Hedges of Cincinnati fled the residence in a vehicle and that there were multiple witnesses who remained at the scene.
Through investigation, detectives learned that Tucker and Hedges, along with an 18-year-old female, an 18-year-old male and a 17-year-old female were known to one another and spent much of Monday night into Tuesday morning together in areas of Cincinnati and Covington. They later arrived at the Silver Brook Drive address at approximately 1:30 AM, which is home to the 18-year-old female. According to witness statements, a bag of marijuana fell on the bedroom floor and Hedges demanded that Tucker pick it up. Tucker rebuffed him. Hedges then pointed his handgun at Tucker’s head and fired one (1) shot.
Scarlett Tucker was pronounced deceased at the scene. The three (3) teenage witnesses are cooperating with the investigation. There were others living in the home when the incident occurred but were sleeping in separate rooms and not involved or a witness to the shooting.
Detectives obtained a warrant of arrest for Demarkus F. Hedges on one (1) count of Murder, one (1) count of Tampering with Physical Evidence and two (2) counts of Unlawful Transaction with a Minor 2nd Degree. He is currently at large and considered armed and dangerous.
Hedges is a black male, approximately 6’3″ and 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing black jeans with a black hooded sweatshirt and a cross body bag. He fled the Silver Brook Drive address in a 2010 Nissan Maxima, maroon in color, with Ohio Temporary Tag: P766470.
Anyone with information on Hedges’ whereabouts is encouraged to call the Boone County Sheriff’s Office at 859-334-2227 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
