Man wanted for killing ex-wife linked to 2 other shootings

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Sheriff's Office homicide investigators are seeking the public's help in finding a man they believe is connected to two shooting deaths that occurred on Monday and another shooting that happened Tuesday morning.

Russell Cormier, 53, is considered to be armed, dangerous and an ongoing threat to the public.

Cormier is accused of murdering his ex-wife, 61-year-old Fannie McWhite, at approximately 6 a.m. on Monday in the 12300 block of Greencanyon Drive.

Authorities said that Cormier fled McWhite's residence in a black Toyota Tundra pickup and drove back to his residence in the 600 block of Shotwell in northeast Houston.

There, officials say he collected some belongings and set the trailer on fire.

Cormier then drove to a business located in the 12200 block of Kindred Street, where investigators say he waited for 60-year-old Thorton Jack Bivens and fatally shot him as he drove up to report for work.

Cormier then fled the scene.

Suspect is wanted for killing his ex-wife and linked to other shootings.

Late Monday evening, Cormier's black Toyota Tundra was found abandoned on Wallisville Road.

On Tuesday at around 4:30 a.m., officials say Cormier returned to a neighbor's home on Shotwell Street and confronted a man who lived in the home.

Cormier is suspected of shooting Roshal Barley and fleeing the scene. Cormier allegedly fired into the SUV, leaving shotgun holes all over the vehicle and hitting Barley several times. Barley is expected to survive.

"We didn't know he was out there until this morning until I heard the gunshots," said Nancy Barley, Roshal's wife. She was inside her home when her husband went to their car to leave for work.

Houston police canvassed the neighborhood near Shotwell Street looking for surveillance video.

Harris County Sheriff's Department is communicating with Cormier's family members, looking for leads.

Cormier is described as an African-American male, 6 feet in height and weighing 160 pounds.

Authorities believe Cormier was last seen driving a 2000 black Dodge Stratus missing the front driver-side hubcap. They also believe he is armed and dangerous. Several guns have already been recovered from his residence.

"We recovered several weapons and they're going to do their analysis, and we believe it's going to help in their case," said Houston Police Sergeant Hector Garcia.

Neighbor Jerome Keith Lewis described Cormier as un-friendly and obsessive.

"Who cuts their yard, every day? Every day? You're on your lawn mower, dude, you got a problem," said Lewis, who last saw Cormier two days ago.

At that time, Lewis says Cormier also threatened to kill him.

"He said I will kill all of you all, anybody who is on Shotwell, I will kill them all," said Lewis.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cormier is urged to call the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide unit at 713-247-9100.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org. Tips may also be sent via a text message by texting the following: TIP610 plus the information to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

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