“He’s humble and kind of quiet, and scared. He’s kind of afraid right now,” Scioto County Sheriff’s Captain David Hall said concerning the demeanor of the soldier arrested Wednesday in Scioto County for two murders in New York the day before.” He doesn’t know the outcome; what’s going to happen.”

Minutes before Joshua S. Hunter, 20, of 334 Clay Street Apartments, Watertown, N.Y., had been taken by Jefferson County, N.Y., deputies by cruiser back to Jefferson County where he will be arraigned in the deaths of fellow soldiers and roommates Diego Valbuena, 23, of Florida, and Waide T. James, 20, of North Carolina. Both men died from multiple stab wounds.

Hunter had been arrested around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Days Inn in Wheelersburg.

“The Ohio State Highway Patrol got a phone call from the Highway Patrol in New York of the possible location of the suspect, and they contacted us,” Hall said. “Both agencies went to Wheelersburg. Contact was made to him and, through that contact, he came outside and followed the directions of the officers to come down from the landing, and was secured without incident.”

Hunter’s arraignment locally was done by video from the jail by way of the Portsmouth Municipal Court.

Hunter was read his extradition hearing rights by Judge Russell D. Kegley, and was quick to waive his right to an extradition hearing, essentially making him immediately available to be taken back to Jefferson County.

Within 45 minutes, deputies who had arrived in Scioto County Wednesday night pulled their cruiser into the release garage next to the Scioto County Jail, and about 20 minutes later emerged from the facility. Hunter laid down in the back seat when he saw news cameras.

Hall summed up the last 48 hours.

“First of all, it’s a sad situation for a lot of people — the victims’ families — his family. It’s a tough situation,” Hall said.

Hall was asked about being able to work in conjunction with New York authorities in making the apprehension.

“It’s a good feeling, a somber feeling just to be able to help out your fellow law enforcement officers,” Hall said.

Hunter’s father, Jim Hunter of Ona, W.Va, said his son had been back from a 15-month deployment to Iraq for about four months and, “seemed to be doing good.”

No motive has been given for the attacks, and no reason given as to why Hunter came to Scioto County.

Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.