Suspect in Liberty shooting arraigned Friday

Staff report

WARREN

One suspect charged in a Liberty Township homicide was arraigned Friday, as police await extradition of a second suspect from Florida.

Bond was set at $1 million for William Shakoor, 21, of Austintown after he pleaded not guilty in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to murder and felonious assault.

A Trumbull County grand jury indicted Shakoor on Thursday in the shooting death of Eric Dalton, 40, of Scioto County.

Liberty police found Dalton lying on the ground near a Catherine Street home about 5 a.m. Jan. 27. Dalton died Feb. 4 from a single gunshot wound to the leg.

If convicted of the murder, Shakoor could face a life prison sentence. Matthew Pentz, an attorney representing Shakoor, did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Officers in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday evening arrested a second suspect who also is charged with Dalton’s murder. Liberty police Detective Sgt. Ray Buhala said law enforcement is awaiting extradition of Michael Curry. 21.

According to a report by the Tampa Police Department, an officer stopped Curry just before 9:30 p.m. for riding his bike in the roadway at night without lights. Police said Curry fled on foot and initially gave a false name to officers. Curry had a small amount of crack cocaine in his pocket, according to police. In addition to the charges through Trumbull County, Curry is now facing charges in Florida of resisting arrest, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.