UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas — A Gilmer man who remains wanted for accusations of killing two sisters over a week ago has been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List.
Alvin Charles McKnight Jr., 41, is wanted on a capital murder warrant in connection with the shooting deaths of Dermetrica Waters, 37, and Mandy Ray, 35, both of Gilmer. Waters and Ray, who were sisters, were found shot to death at a house in the 2800 block of U.S. Hwy. 271 South near Bluebird Road the night of Saturday, Nov. 4.
He remains on the run since Nov. 4. On Tuesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety added McKnight to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. The Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $7,500 for information relating to his arrest. The Upshur County Crime Stoppers is continuing to offer up to $10,000 in reward money.
DPS also revealed that McKnight is affiliated with the 52 Hoover Crips gang. McKnight is 6'5 and weighs about 280 lbs., with a muscular build. Officials say he has braided hair with blonde highlights. He has tattoos on his face, chest, back, right forearm and both upper arms.
He has ties to Upshur County along with Dallas and Oklahoma City.
During a press conference Tuesday, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb said the sheriff's office still believes there are family and friends out there who have helped McKnight evade arrest.
His sister Laquesha Monique McKnight, 38, of Longview, was arrested for accusations of hindering McKnight's arrest. Officials believe she helped him escape from the Upshur County area on the night of the murders.
Webb emphasized that McKnight is considered "very dangerous."
Webb said that McKnight had a child with one of the victims, who were sisters. He said McKnight does have a known criminal history.
So far, numerous tips have come in but they have not panned out, Webb said. He added there were witnesses to the shooting, but he could not into further detail.
"Somebody out there knows where he’s at They know where he’s at or who he’s with. They have information. The best thing that they can do is they can contact us, or any law enforcement agency, wherever he’s at, and let them know the information that they have," Webb said. "So we can get this guy into custody and try to get the family some closure to this incident."
To be eligible for rewards, tipsters have to give authorities information using one of the following three methods:
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
- Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture.
- Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).
All tips are anonymous.
Those who have information should call the Upshur County Sherriff’s Office at (903) 843-2541 or Upshur County Crime Stoppers at (903) 843-3131 or online at upshurcounty.crimestoppersweb.com.
The lead investigator in this case is Rob Bowen at 903-680-8223.