Police arrest murder suspect after finding him in Mexico

SALT LAKE CITY — A murder suspect has been delivered to Salt Lake City authorities after escaping to Mexico. 

The murder investigation

The case started in 2016 when the suspect, Fortunato Villagrana, went after some teenagers with a gun. 

Salt Lake City police reported the shooting appeared to be a reaction to a car full of teenagers throwing eggs at people from a moving car. Police accuse him of driving to his home, getting a gun, and then searching for the teens responsible. 

According to police, Villagrana allegedly leaned part of his body out of the window with someone else, Martin Cruz, driving, then shot into the vehicle of the kids throwing the eggs. 

Salt Lake patrol officers then found the victim, 16-year-old Paris Gustin, on the ground with a gunshot wound. Officers pronounced him dead on the scene. 

KSL.com reports the full story of the early investigation here. 

Million-dollar warrant

In 2017, a $1,000,000 warrant was issued for Villagrana’s arrest, according to KSL.com. 

Suspect fled

After the shooting, homicide detectives believe Villagrana fled to Mexico. 

Multiple law enforcement agencies (the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Department of Justice, the United States Marshals Service, and law enforcement) located and arrested the murder suspect in Mexico.

Suspect transported back to states for arrest

Authorities arrested Fortunato Villagrana upon his return to the states. He’s now in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on suspicion of murder and felony discharge of a firearm. 

Court case ongoing

The court case in this crime is still ongoing. His next court hearing is scheduled for January 24th, reports KSL.com. 

This story is developing and will be updated. 

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Read More:

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• A Christmas Eve shooting lands a West Jordan man in jail

 

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