In a major breakthrough, a wanted man from Oklahoma accused of murdering his estranged wife in 2017 has been extradited from Mexico and is now facing first-degree murder charges. The arrest of Jose Gomez-Baca, who had been on the run for six years, was made possible by a tip received by Interpol, leading U.S. Marshals to take him into custody on June 27. Gomez-Baca was apprehended without incident as he left his job at a machine shop in Tecomán, Colima.
According to Deputy U.S. Marshal John Gage, authorities from the United States and Mexico worked together to ensure a smooth arrest. U.S. Marshals traveled to Mexico City, where Gomez-Baca was prepared for extradition by the Mexican authorities. The fugitive was then flown back to the United States on a commercial flight.
The 31-year-old suspect has been booked into Tulsa County Jail to await trial on first-degree murder charges. The alleged crime took place on June 22, 2017, when Gomez-Baca reportedly shot his 26-year-old estranged wife, Elizabeth Rodriguez, as she sat in a car outside her home. Rodriguez’s mother and brother were also present in the vehicle when the fatal shots were fired.
The tragic incident shocked the family, as Rodriguez’s brother, Gilberto Rodriguez, recounts the horrifying moment when he was awakened by his brother, informing him that their sister was outside dying. Gilberto rushed to the scene and found his mother holding her head in her hands, and his sister suffering from gunshot wounds. The couple’s children were inside the house when the shooting occurred, leaving them devastated and without both parents.
Following the alleged murder, Gomez-Baca fled the scene in a gray 2004 Dodge Ram, armed with a pistol and shotgun. He managed to evade authorities until now. Notably, the day before the incident, Gomez-Baca had called the police to report Rodriguez missing. However, investigators believed she had voluntarily left due to problems in their relationship.
Gomez-Baca has yet to secure legal representation, and it remains unclear when his arraignment will take place. Nonetheless, the arrest brings relief to both law enforcement and the victim’s family. U.S. Marshal John Gage expressed satisfaction with the arrest, stating, “It’s always a relief to catch the guy or the woman. I think it’s a bigger relief for the family that he’s now in custody, and he’ll be brought to justice through the right way.”
The successful extradition of a murder suspect highlights the cooperation between the United States and Mexico in apprehending fugitives. This case serves as a reminder that justice can prevail, even after years of evading capture.
