Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Man arrested at border in connection with fatal Las Vegas shooting

Updated Wednesday, March 30, 2011 | 10:02 p.m.

Click to enlarge photo

Metro Police investigate a shooting Jan. 20 on Slayton Drive near Alta Drive.

Fatal shooting

Sun coverage

A man sought by Metro Police in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this year has been arrested by Customs and Border Protection officers after entering the U.S. from Mexico, authorities said.

Johnny Esquivel, 26, was booked into San Diego Central Jail without bail on March 20 on a homicide warrant, CBP officials said. He was wanted in the Jan. 20 slaying of 39-year-old Edward Wernicke of Las Vegas.

At about 8:45 p.m. on March 19, Esquivel, a U.S. citizen and resident of Fresno, Calif., arrived on foot at the San Ysidro port of entry, officials said. A CBP officer ran his name through law enforcement databases and discovered a felony, no-bail warrant issued at the request of Metro, officials said.

Officers used fingerprints to confirm Esquivel’s identity before he was sent to the San Diego County Jail to await extradition.

Metro Police responded at 10:43 a.m. on Jan. 20 to reports of a shooting in the 500 block of Slayton Drive. Wernicke was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said Esquivel knew Wernicke.

Wernicke’s girlfriend of seven years, Lorrie Williams, 38, said Wernicke had an argument with Esquivel’s cousin before the shooting.

"I’m glad he was caught, but that doesn’t bring Eddie back at all," Williams said. "I’m just thankful he’s not running around anymore. At least that part is over, that I know he’s in custody and I don’t have to worry about that part anymore. The next step is taking him to trial."

Metro issued an arrest warrant for Esquivel on March 1.

According to San Diego jail records, Esquivel is scheduled to appear in court in San Diego on April 11.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy