Man who allegedly shot single mom, fled to Mexico arrested while trying to return to U.S.

TUSTIN, Calif. (TCN) — A man has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend and then fleeing to Mexico.

According to the Tustin Police Department, officers responded to a shooting on May 14 and pronounced 42-year-old Sandra Fernandez dead. The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Juan Marquez, her ex-boyfriend. He had allegedly lain in wait for Fernandez near her place of work before the alleged shooting took place. 

Investigators learned Marquez left the United States after allegedly shooting Fernandez, crossing into Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Police obtained an arrest warrant for Marquez and he was taken into custody on suspicion of murder on May 16 while attempting to cross back into the U.S. through the border checkpoint.

Fernandez was a single mother and had three children between the ages of 5 and 21, the Los Angeles Times reports. At the time she was fatally shot while in her car, she had recently started a new job. CBS News reports she worked for a nonprofit called Families Together.

Fernandez’s niece Melitza Uribe described her aunt as happy and a great mother who was always there to lend a helping hand. She told CBS that Fernandez’s death has left a void in the family.

Marquez is being held without bail, according to police. 

CBS reports that according to Fernandez’s family, the motive in the shooting is unknown.

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