Austin murder suspect deported from Mexico

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County resident sought by Austin police in connection with a 2022 fatal shooting was deported from Mexico on Sunday, closing a 20-month fugitive investigation, according to federal officials.

The U.S. Marshalls said 21-year-old Cristian Avila-Solis was charged with murder related to the death of 36-year-old Jose Alberto Aguirre Castellanos. Officials said the May 2022 shooting happened in the parking lot of a south Austin gym on West Slaughter Lane.

KXAN reached out to Avila-Solis’ attorney. This article will be updated if a statement is received.

Avila-Solis was the third suspect identified since the incident, according to the U.S. Marshall’s office.

Officials said the Austin Police Department got a warrant for Avila-Solis and requested help from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the Austin Division. The task force then contacted Mexican officials to help find Avila-Solis, who was a U.S. citizen believed to have fled to Mexico following the incident.

On Saturday, Mexican officials arrested Avila-Solis on an immigration violation, and by Sunday, he was deported back to the U.S. and handed over to members of the North Texas Fugitive Task Force.

According to the U.S. Marshall’s office, Avila-Solis was booked into the Tarrant County jail awaiting extradition to Travis County.