Los Angeles Clippers player Matt Barnes took to Instagram and Twitter to initiate a social media manhunt for his aunt’s suspected killer.
Tanganyika Hoover, 48, was staying at a friend’s house with her estranged husband, Michael Williams. In the early morning of July 8, Sacramento police found Hoover with a stab wound in her neck. Williams was not at the scene, but they say he is a prime suspect in the stabbing.
Police have not been able to locate Williams, so the NBA star stepped in. Barnes’ social media post featured two photos of the suspect along with this plea:
“This dude stabbed my auntie in the neck last week & left her for dead on the sidewalk, she ended up dying on the way to the hospital in the ambulance. If you have any info on his whereabouts contact the #SacPD #SacramentoWeNeedYourHelp #RIPTang”
Barnes told ABC News that he is using his platform to speak out and mobilize his social media fans to help in the manhunt. “Having the platform that I have, I wanted to speak out on social media,” Barnes said. “When it’s your family, you just feel like you … you can do more. You want to do more.”
Hoover’s daughter, Taquita Lugo, said Barnes’ post received many calls, some wanting to talk to the NBA player, but others with information on Williams’ possible whereabouts.
UPDATE: Police in Sacramento have captured Williams, thanks to a citizen’s tip, reports TMZ.
If you have any information regarding the case, please contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-4357 or you can text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES).