MANHUNT CONTINUES 06/29: RICARDO ZUNIGA

MONDAY,  JUNE  29, 2009 

  WANTED FOR CAPITAL MURDER:

RICARDO ZUNIGA 

***USE EXTREME CAUTION- SUBJECT IS CONSIDERED ARMED & DANGEROUS***

The Manhunt Continues for RICARDO ZUNIGA. 

ZUNIGA is wanted for the OFFENSE of:

CAPITAL MURDER - $500,000 BOND

SOCORRO, TX–  RICARDO ZUNIGA (29) remains on the run eluding capture from U.S. authorities. ZUNIGA has been identified as the “SHOOTER” in last week’s double homicide in Socorro, TX. The motive for the violent murders is still unclear at this time.

ZUNIGA is believed to remain in the Borderland & shows a previous address in San Elizario, TX. Zuniga has several contacts in Fabens, San Elizario, Socorro & the El Paso areas & obviously knows he is wanted.

ZUNIGA is considered armed & extremely dangerous. A “Wanted Bulletin” on ZUNIGA was issued to regional Law Enforcement last week warning authorities to use extreme caution if they come into contact & encounter ZUNIGA.

Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Persons Detectives continue working this case & want to remind the public; ANYONE CAUGHT HINDERING OR AIDING ANY FUGITIVE WILL BE PROSECUTED. 

CID Detectives continue with this investigation as more arrests are forthcoming. Sheriff’s Investigator’s are asking the public - if anyone has any information pertaining to these Homicides to please contact the Sheriff’s Office (915) 546-2280 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous & may be eligible for a reward if the information provided leads to the apprehension of the individuals featured.

BACKGROUND:

Early Monday morning 6-22-2009 at approximately 2:00 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Socorro police Dept. are dispatched to the A & M Bar located at 11638 Alameda Socorro, TX in reference to a shooting with subjects down. Authorities arrive to find two victims - shot once each. Preliminary investigation reveals that prior to the incident, approximately 40 individuals were inside the bar when an argument ensued among some patrons. The argument led to a confrontation outside the bar where reports indicate over 20 individuals were seen outside the establishment as events unfolded. The argument resulted in a physical altercation leading to “shots fired”.

Crimes Against Persons Detectives were summoned to the scene & launched a full scale investigation of the incident. The two Victim’s shot were brothers – they both died due to the wounds sustained. They were identified as Jose Vargas (37) who died at the scene & Jesus Vargas Jr. (46) who died at the hospital – both from Socorro, TX. 

Late Monday night 06-22-09, after actively working this case for several hours, CID Detectives apprehended one of the subjects involved . The suspect was identified as VICTOR IGNACIO GOMEZ (28) of the 12900 block of Harnose El Paso County, TX.  He remains in the El Paso County Detention Facility charges with CAPITAL MURDER under NO BOND.

Thursday night 06-25-09, Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a 2nd subject involved in the homicides that occurred in Socorro, TX early Monday morning 06-22-09. The suspect was identified as JOSE GUADALUPE CORDERO (24) of the 1200 block of Powell Fabens, TX. He was booked and remains in the El Paso County Detention Facility charged with CAPITAL MURDER under NO BOND. 

ARRESTED FOR CAPITAL MURDER 

VICTOR IGNACIO GOMEZ (28)

JOSE GUADALUPE CORDERO (24)

  END OF FEATURE FOR "MANHUNT"

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4^th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.