Cortland Police Arrest Man Wanted For Murder in Scranton – Brief Foot Chase Ends at Gunpoint on Tompkins Street

*This story has been updated following a release by the Cortland Police Department*

Around 2:30 Monday afternoon, Cortland County 9-1-1 dispatched officers with the City of Cortland Police Department responded to 37 Clayton Ave. in Cortland for a third-party call of a man at the residence who had an active warrant for his arrest out of Pennsylvania. County 9-1-1 reported the warrant was for murder.

The possible suspect was 21 year old Malachi Allah Darden. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Darden is wanted for murder from a warrant issued back on May 17th, 2024. The warrant was issued by the Scranton Police Department in Pennsylvania for his role in the shooting death of a man in his vehicle on Jackson Street in Scranton on May 14th, 2024.

The U.S. Marshals also offered up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Cortland Police responded to the address and began to set-up a perimeter of the residence. Mutual aid from the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and University Police additionally responded. According to reports, a female exited the residence and informed police Darden was no longer inside. In a release by the Cortland Police Department, Darden had jumped from a second-floor window. Further information provided to police revealed Darden had fled the residence. A clothing description was provided and relayed by dispatch to officers in the area.

Darden was spotted quickly after in the area of the Cortland County Mental Health Building at the bottom of Clayton Ave. He then fled on foot from Clayton Ave. to Pomeroy/Armstrong Law Offices on Tompkins Street, Deputy Police Chief Cheyenne Cute told X101 News. The foot pursuit ended on Tompkins with police holding Darden at gunpoint until he was taken into custody.

Deputy Chief Cute added Cortland Police have already made contact with PA authorities and the U.S. Marshal’s Service, who he says will be responding. Cortland Police Chief Guerrera added the suspect sustained an injury to his knee and was checked out by TLC.

Cortland Police charged Darden with Resisting Arrest and Fugitive From Justice following the foot pursuit.

Darden is currently being held at the Cortland County Jail.