Octavious Allen-Napier, who police believe is connected to a homicide in Burlington’s Old North End on Sunday, is facing two federal firearms charges.
Allen-Napier, 25, was arrested by Burlington police for violating probation and on suspicion of federal firearms charges at the Colchester weigh station on 1-89 North after a chase that started in Winooski Wednesday.
The Burlington Police Department announced Thursday afternoon that Allen-Napier is believed to be connected to the death of Steve Martin on Sunday evening.
Martin, 38, was shot and killed in his North Avenue residence after two men pushed their way inside, according to police. Allen-Napier is “believed to be associated with” the homicide, police said. Police said that a shootout between Martin and the two intruders left Martin dead.
“Law enforcement is currently investigating Napier’s potential possession of at least one additional firearm in recent weeks and his possible involvement in an shoot out involving multiple firearms in a crowded Burlington neighborhood on April 26, 2020 that left one man dead,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia A.P. Cowles wrote in court documents.
Allen-Napier is facing federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number that had been shipped in interstate commerce.
The gun in question was recovered as part of an investigation into a May 2018 fight at the Marketplace Garage in downtown Burlington. The gun was in a backpack in a car that Allen-Napier had been a passenger in, according to an affidavit by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Samuel Brown.
Police believe the backpack belonged to Allen-Napier because it contained a receipt tied to a bank account associated with him and a health center appointment card for Allen-Napier.
Allen-Napier told investigators that while the backpack was his, the gun was not. He then said he was having an asthma attack and was transported to the hospital.
Allen-Napier has a “violent criminal record,” Cowles wrote in a motion requesting detention, including convictions for aggravated assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Allen-Napier has connections to Philadelphia, but does not have a known residence, Cowles wrote in court filings arguing for him to be held in custody.
“His lack of a steady, known residence, his participation in an apparent attempt to elude police, and his failure to comply with terms of his state supervision all suggest he is unlikely to comply with conditions requiring him to communicate with pretrial services and report as directed for any future court appearances,” she wrote.
