Fugitive who caused death of North Carolina K9 “Rambo” captured in Massachusetts

In August, a person was violently robbed by a man with a gun in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro Police quickly identified the suspect as TAFARI ASANTI HENDERSON-SAMUELS, 25, who was out parole for firearms violations at the time of the robbery. On the night of August 16, Greensboro Police located HENDERSON-SAMUELS and attempted to arrest him, but he fled on foot. Officers, including Greensboro K9 Officer Clint Franklin and his partner, Rambo, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, pursued on foot.

During the pursuit, Rambo was struck by a motor vehicle in traffic. The vehicle and driver were not connected to the robbery. Officer Franklin rushed Rambo to an emergency veterinarian, but the loyal canine died from his injuries. HENDERSON-SAMUELS escaped capture.

During the subsequent investigation, Greensboro Police developed information that HENDERSON-SAMUELS had fled to Springfield, Mass. The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (MSP VFAS) began working with Greensboro Police, who had obtained an arrest warrant, and working together, the Massachusetts troopers and North Carolina officers developed an area of interest on Centre Street in Springfield’s Indian Orchard neighborhood. Troopers from the Hampden County (Mass.) Narcotics Task Force also began assisting in the investigation.

MSP VFAS Troopers, along with Springfield Police, members of a United States Marshals Task Force, and Hampden County deputy sheriffs initiated surveillance of the area of interest. This morning at approximately 11:30, an MSP VFAS Trooper observed a man matching HENDERSON-SAMUELS’ description enter a 2009 Subaru Outback with Massachusetts plates. Police followed the vehicle and made a positive identification of the front seat passenger as HENDERSON-SAMUELS. The above-listed Troopers, Officers, and Marshals then stopped the car on Leyfred Terrace in Springfield and took HENDERSON-SAMUELS into custody without incident.

A search of the fugitive resulted in the seizure from his person of 33 packets of suspected heroin. Troopers and Officers transported HENDERSON-SAMUELS to the Springfield Police Station, where he was booked as a fugitive from justice on the North Carolina warrant as well as for possession of a Class A narcotic with intent to distribute.

Immediately upon his capture, MSP VFAS Troopers notified Greensboro Police of the fugitive’s apprehension. After an initial court appearance in Massachusetts, prosecutors will arrange his rendition to North Carolina to face charges related to the robbery incident that cost K9 Rambo his life. Social media postings about Rambo and a photo of him and Officer Franklin are attached.