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Teen Wanted in Fatal Shooting Arrested in Tijuana

By Angelica Martinez
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
10:47 a.m. June 30, 2009

TIJUANA — A teenager wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman at a birthday party in San Diego earlier this year was arrested by Mexican authorities Monday night, officials with the U.S. Marshals Office said Tuesday.

Christopher Anthony Sanchez, 19, was detained as he was walking on a Tijuana street. He was transferred to U.S. authorities Tuesday night.

San Diego police had issued an arrest warrant for Sanchez in connection with the March 7 killing of Marcella Peraza.

Peraza, 21, was standing outside a birthday party on Brooklyn Avenue in the Encanto neighborhood when she was struck by gunfire, police said. She died at a hospital hours later.

A second guest, a 26-year-old man, was also hit in an arm and underwent extensive surgery.

Police Lt. Terry McManus said the shooting happened after two young men at the party became involved in a fight inside the home that continued in the front yard. One of the men left and returned with a gun, he said.

Witnesses helped identify Sanchez as a suspect, McManus said.

Recently, San Diego County Crime Stoppers received a tip that Sanchez was living in a specific home in Tijuana. San Diego fugitive task force officers relayed the tip to Mexican authorities, who went to the area and found him, officials said.

Sanchez faces murder and attempted murder charges, McManus said.