Third man sought in connection with Batsche murder now in custody

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BEAR CREEK — The last at-large suspect in a May 2020 murder is finally in custody.

Shyquaule Javon Fisher, 25, suspected as the shooter in the killing of 20-year-old Emerson Batsche, was apprehended in New Jersey and is now in custody at the Chatham County Detention Center in Pittsboro.

In May 2020, members of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting at a residence in Bear Creek, where they found Batsche deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities confirmed that Batsche lived at the home on Artis Cotton Road where he was killed.

Kenneth Bass Jr., 18, of Chapel Hill was the first suspect to be captured and taken into custody in connection with the case. Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Bass and transferred custody to the Chatham County Detention Center, where he was placed under a $200,000 bond. Bass has since been indicted on first-degree murder, aiding and abetting armed robbery, and obstruction of justice related to the shooting.

Soon after, Chatham County deputies charged and arrested Tyree Jermaine Allsbrook, 19, of Apex. Allsbrook is being held under no bond related to charges of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number and both conspiracy to sell/deliver and possession with intent to sell/deliver a schedule VI controlled substance.

Fisher, the third and final suspect, was accused of discharging the fatal shot that killed Batsche. He was also indicted on charges of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to sell/deliver and possession with intent to sell/deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance.

Fisher fled North Carolina immediately after the shooting, prompting the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office to request assistance from the United States Marshals Service to identify his whereabouts.

He successfully evaded arrest until earlier this week when officers with the Elizabeth Police Department of New Jersey located him and served the warrant for his arrest. Fisher was subsequently delivered to the Chatham County Detention Center by the North Carolina Public Safety Extradition Team. Fisher is being held under no bond and is due to appear in court on Feb. 14.

“This outcome would not have been possible without the dedication of our top-notch investigations team and the support of an extensive network of law enforcement professionals committed to locating these suspects and bringing them safely into custody,” Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said. “We owe a special thanks to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Elizabeth Police Department of New Jersey, US Marshals Service, North Carolina Public Safety Extradition Team, and members of other organizations and the public who served as eyes and ears to help locate these men.”

“We are especially grateful for the teamwork and coordinated efforts that helped bring the third and final suspect, Shyquaule Fisher, into custody,” Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Sara Pack said. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the murder victim, Emerson Batsche. We recognize that no arrest will bring back the life that was lost, but we hope that this news will bring them one step closer to healing and closure as this case progresses.”