Topeka murder suspect caught in Mexico

The most wanted man in northeast Kansas is back in police custody after fleeing across the border to avoid a murder trial, the U.S. Marshals Service announced Thursday.

The U.S. Marshals Service says Fernando Diaz was wanted on a 2nd degree murder charge stemming from a July 27, 2015, deadly shooting in east Topeka. Two days prior to the shooting, he had absconded from his parole. A warrant for his arrest was issued in August of that year.

U.S. Marshal Ronald Miller explained marshals learned Diaz was likely living in Mexico. The Marshals Service teamed up with the State Dept. and Customs and Border Protection to work with Mexican authorities to capture Diaz.

“This is a great example of federal and local resources working together to apprehend a dangerous gang member.” said United States Marshal Ronald Miller.

Diaz is being held in a Harris Co., Texas, jail, awaiting extradition back to Shawnee Co.

On July 27, 2015, Topeka Police officers found Christopher Galvan after responding to reports of a single-vehicle wreck in the 500 block of SE Gray Street. The crash happened not long after police received reports of gunfire SE 5th Street and SE Golden Ave.

Police say Diaz and Galvin knew each other prior to the shooting. Both men had reportedly been part of a dispute that night.

Diaz had been on parole for an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement when he absconded.