BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) – A man police say is involved in the murder of a former running back for Clinton High School and Southern University, is now behind bars.
Walter Jerome Fort was taken into custody in Houston, Texas Monday. He was arrested by on the campus of Texas Southern University by a TSU Police Officer after the officer received information that Fort was sitting on a bench at a bus stop.
Police say Fort initially gave a false name but his identity was confirmed through fingerprints. He was booked into the Harris County Jail. He will eventually be extradited back to Baton Rouge to be booked on second degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.
Silas Gibbs, 24, was found inside a stalled vehicle, in the passenger seat, north of the Chippewa Street exit on I-110, around 3 a.m. Saturday.
Police say he had been shot to death. Fort is accused of shooting and killing Gibbs as they rode in the vehicle.
A benefit fund in the name of Silas Gibbs has been set up at Capital One Bank to help pay for funeral expenses.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Gibbs left behind a loving family, including two children. Our thoughts & prayers go out to this man’s family and friends for this tragic loss. He was a standout athlete at his alma mater of Clinton High School, where he was one of the most prolific athletes to play football at the school.