A man accused in the 2022 killing of a 15-year-old Tennessee girl has been captured in Europe after spending years on the run.
Seth Walls, 23, was arrested Sept. 12 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in connection with the fatal shooting of Haley Reedy, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Walls was found more than 5,000 miles from Millington, Tennessee, where Reedy was killed.
He remains in custody in Slovenia while authorities work to bring him back to the United States. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating the extradition process.
According to reports, a resident in Ljubljana recognized Walls after reading about Reedy’s death and became suspicious that he could be the wanted suspect.
The person reportedly alerted security at a bar where they had spent time with Walls. Security then contacted local authorities, who arrested him.
Investigators said Walls had been using an assumed name and claiming to be Canadian.
His identity was ultimately confirmed through fingerprints provided with help from Interpol.
The international police organization became involved in the case in 2023 after the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force requested assistance.
Walls had originally been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon following Reedy’s death on Sept. 11, 2022.
He later posted a $10,000 bond and allegedly fled the country after failing to appear for a scheduled court hearing, according to local reports.
An arrest warrant was issued after he disappeared.
At the time of the shooting, Walls was 18.
Authorities said Walls initially claimed that Reedy had fired the gun herself and that he was not in the room when the shooting happened.
But investigators said Reedy had been shot behind her right ear.
The Shelby County Medical Examiner reportedly determined that the location of the wound was not consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot and ruled her death a homicide.
The arrest has brought a mix of shock and relief to Reedy’s family.
Her mother, Brandee Jones, told The Tennessean she was “very shocked and relieved” that Walls had finally been located.
“I don’t have to worry about him harming anyone else,” she said.
Jones also criticized how the case had been handled locally, saying her family had spent years waiting for answers.
“We only want justice for Haley,” she said.
Millington Mayor Larry Dagen said the arrest could not undo the family’s loss but expressed hope that the development would move the case closer to justice.
Shelby County Sheriff Anthony Buckner also credited local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies for continuing to pursue Walls.
District Attorney Steve Mulroy praised the U.S. Marshals Service as well, saying the capture showed that suspects can still be tracked down even after fleeing overseas.
Walls is expected to face the charges against him in Tennessee once the extradition process is complete.
