Suspect In 1997 Shooting In Montgomery County Arrested In El Salvador

He was returned the US on Dec. 5th, 2024.

Jose Mauricio Rivera (Photo from Montgomery County Police)

Silver Spring, Md (KM) Montgomery County Police say a suspect who had been on the run following a shooting 27 years ago has been caught. Jose Mauricio Rivera, 58, was brought back to the US from El Salvador on Wednesday, December 5th, 2024.. Rivera is charged with attempted 2nd-degree murder, and two counts of 1st-degree assault and 2nd-degree assault for shooting his wife. .

He’s currently being held at the Central Processing Unit on a no-bond status.

Authorities say on October 9th, 1997, Rivera confronted his estranged wife in an elevator at an apartment building in the 8100 block of Eastern Avenue in  Silver Spring where she lived. She was shot multiple times.

The couple had recently separated following allegations of abuse, and she had obtained a restraining order against her ex-husband.

After the shooting, police say Rivera fled the US, and Interpol was contacted. The agency located Rivera in El Salvador.

El Salvador National Police apprehended Rivera in April, 2023, and he was brought back to the United States a year later.

By Kevin McManus