Suspect in Brutal Local Homicide Captured By
U.S. Marshals Task Force in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LA - The U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force (CSFTF), apprehended murder suspect Walter Mendez in New Orleans this afternoon. The 26 year-old Mendez is the suspect in a murder that took place at 6797 Mobile Highway in Escambia County, Florida sometime between 8 o’ clock last night and 7 o’clock this morning. Mendez was arrested without incident at the home of a family member on the 4300 Block of Dhenecourt Street in the Central Business District in New Orleans. At about 4:00 p.m. today, Deputy Marshals from New Orleans and members of the Crescent Star Task Force approached the house on Dhenecourt and were confronted by an unknown person who led them to Mendez. At the time of his arrest, another possible victim whose identity is also unknown was found with Mendez. An investigation is under way to determine if this reported victim was taken by Mendez to New Orleans against their will. Police reports indicate that the wounds suffered by the murder victim and the crime scene were consistent with that of a machete or blunt instrument. Reports also state that Mendez was seen last night working with a machete outside of the house on Mobile Highway. According to the same reports, Mendez seemed angry and allegedly made a statement that “…I think I am going to kill someone tonight.”

The U.S. Marshals fugitive task force in Pensacola first learned that Mendez was heading toward Mississippi from the Escambia Sheriff’s Office. The Marshals task force in Pensacola immediately contacted their task force that covers that region, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Marshals Gulf Coast task force determined that Mendez was now in the New Orleans area and contacted the U.S. Marshals there. Through their investigation, the Marshals in New Orleans have learned that Mendez abandoned the vehicle he was driving on I-10 somewhere in Mississippi. Investigators from Escambia County are currently on their way to Mississippi in an attempt to locate the car and seize it pending processing by a crime scene unit.

“The capture of Mendez’s capture demonstrates the strength and swiftness of the U.S. Marshals Service, as well as its networking capabilities across the country,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Dominic Guadagnoli, spokesman for the U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force.

“In just a matter of hours, a dangerous, violent person was arrested because of the great relationship between the U.S. Marshals and the Sheriff’s Office,” said Investigator Mike Carr with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
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After his arrest Mendez was taken to the Orleans Parish Prison in New Orleans.