Suspected Notorious 'Murderer for Hire' Captured

San Juan, PR – The U.S. Marshals led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force with the assistance of the Puerto Rico police department, Caguas sector agents, captured Jose A. Gomez-Lopez also known as “COCO” at a motel in Bayamon. This fugitive is wanted by the state authorities on 28 criminal charges stemming from murder to weapons law violations, and has a $22,400,000 bond imposed in absence. This is the largest imposed bond amount in the history of the Commonwealth. Gomez-Lopez is wanted for his alleged involvement in a quadruple homicide that occurred on May 5 in the municipality of Aguas Buenas. During this incident, which is locally known as the “Aguas Buenas Massacre”, a mother and her daughter, alongside a local merchant were among the 4 victims that were brutally murdered in the flurry of automatic weapon fire.

Although the arrest was conducted without incident, Deputies seized a Glock model firearm which was modified to fire as a fully automatic weapon. Also arrested at the same location was an alleged associate of Gomez-Lopez known as Angel Gabriel Rodriguez Lopez who was also allegedly in the possession of an additional firearm modified to fire as a fully automatic weapon. The United States Attorney’s office is evaluating the possibility of adding additional federal charges.

“It is with great pleasure to announce this significant arrest and congratulate those who committed long hours to remove this violent fugitive from our communities,” said Orlando Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico.