Suspect on the run for 17 months finally captured in murder investigation of Roderick Russ; family reacts

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – After 17 months on the run, Ryshon Kelly, a suspect in the murder of Roderick Russ has been arrested.

This coming less than two weeks after Cambridge Police put out a reward of up to $12,000 for any information leading to his arrest.

“We were able to get a tip that was very reliable and we were able to act on that and it led to the arrest of Mr. Kelly,” says Captain Justin Todd, PIO for Cambridge Police.

Capt. Todd tells us, it took the work of multiple agencies to locate Kelly, and not just law enforcement, but the perseverance of the victim’s mother, Jeanne Elliot, and the city of Cambridge.

“After I got off that phone, all I did was cry and it was a different cry, it was a rejoicing cry,” says Elliot. She adds, “When I was able to say he is behind bars like it was just a big relief and I wanted to celebrate.”

Elliot hasn’t been just working to find Kelly but also keeping her sons memory alive. She says it’s the community support that helped her through it all.

“It took until now to really see how strong I am because I would have never thought I would have made it through this, so never give up.”

Capt. Todd the hardest part for them was being unable to give a step towards closure for the family before locating the suspect. “To not be able to give them the answers they’re looking for and they need with the arrest of Mr. Kelly, to be able to finally do that is definitely a weight off the police department’s shoulders, I know the family of Mr. Russ.”

Now with a suspect behind bars, we’re told this is the next step towards justice begins. “It took a long time but the process is now over with, with the arresting, and now is the part of the conviction, and getting it through the courts,” says Capt. Todd.

Now the city of Cambridge and Russ’s family say they are hopeful they can find closure. “She has been actively pursuing this, I give her all the credit in the world., she was a big part of this,” says Capt. Todd. Elliot adds, “As I’ve said before, he’s my king, my angel, my son, and justice is served.”

Capt. Todd with Cambridge police says they’re thankful for the family, citizens, and agencies involved that helped find and capture Kelly.

Elliot says she hopes her story inspires other families who have lost loved ones to never give up on their journey to find answers, and hopefully justice.

The Maryland State Apprehension Team, the U.S Marshalls Fugitive Task Force, and the Dover Police Department were all involved in locating Kelly. He is currently being held in the Kent County Detention Center waiting for extradition back to Maryland. Once he returns, Cambridge PD and the state’s attorney will begin the legal process.

Kelly faces multiple charges stemming from the October 2020 homicide in Dorchester County, Maryland.