Fugitive Wanted for 1997 Shooting Arrested in El Salvador

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 6, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD – The Montgomery County Department of Police, with assistance from the FBI Baltimore Field Office, El Salvador National Police and Interpol, has arrested 58-year-old fugitive Jose Mauricio Rivera, who had been on the run for over 27 years.

Rivera, wanted for second-degree attempted murder, was apprehended in El Salvador and extradited to Montgomery County on December 5, 2024. He is accused of shooting his then estranged wife multiple times. He is also charged with two counts of first-degree assault.

On October 9, 1997, Rivera allegedly confronted his wife in the elevator of her apartment building in the 8100 block of Eastern Avenue in Silver Spring. The couple had recently separated following allegations of abuse, and the victim had obtained a restraining order against Rivera.

Following the shooting, Rivera reportedly left the country.

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Montgomery County Police Major Crimes detectives determined that Rivera had fled to El Salvador. Working collaboratively with the FBI Baltimore Field Office and Interpol, detectives located Rivera and facilitated his capture.

Rivera was extradited to Montgomery County, where he is being held at the Central Processing Unit without bond.

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