A 33-year-old man accused of killing a woman at a shopping plaza in Marion Oaks was arrested in New York.
On Thursday, in the early morning hours, the United States Marshal Service located the murder suspect, Melvin Arias, in the Bronx, New York.
Arias was arrested on a Marion County warrant for second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 47-year-old Milagros Guzman Lopez.
On January 12, shortly after 1:55 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the BP gas station located at 168 Marion Oaks Boulevard in Ocala in reference to shots being fired in the area.
Upon arrival, deputies located Guzman Lopez’s body. She had sustained several gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Witnesses told deputies that a male shooter, later identified as Arias, had arrived at the shopping plaza, and a heated argument with Guzman Lopez had ensued in front of a nearby business.
According to MCSO, the witnesses advised that Arias retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Guzman Lopez before fleeing the scene.
MCSO Major Crimes Detective Andrew Canterberry led the investigation and gathered enough information to obtain a warrant for Arias’ arrest. Investigators soon discovered that Arias may have fled to New York.
“After exhaustive searching and continued investigative efforts, it was determined that Arias was staying at an apartment in the Bronx,” stated MCSO in a media release.
Arias was successfully located and apprehended by United States Marshal Service agents. He was transported to Rikers Island – Eric M. Taylor Center, where he is currently being held.
MCSO detectives have traveled to New York to interview Arias and coordinate his extradition to Marion County.