Update: 2 Arrested In Homicide Of Teen El Paso Good Samaritan

The U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force El Paso Office have arrested two men in nearby Las Cruces, New Mexico who were wanted in connection with an El Paso teen’s slaying.

Brian Johnson and Hugo Gonzalez were found at a home in the 1300 block of Thomas in Las Cruces at about 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 after authorities followed up on an anonymous tip from El Paso Crime Stoppers. Their capture was announced Wednesday morning.

Johnson and Gonzalez attempted to flee through the rear of the Las Cruces residence as agents approached, according to El Paso Police. They were taken into custody without further incident and remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Las Cruces cell block awaiting extradition to El Paso.

Johnson and Gonzalez were arrested on outstanding Capital Murder warrants that have been issued for the Feb. 4, 2011 homicide of 15-year-old Angel Cuevas. Cuevas was killed just outside of Carmike Theater in Northeast El Paso, near a ditch. Cueva’s mother said her son stepped into to help his cousin who was getting robbed.

According to the complaint affidavit, police detectives “believe the incident occurred based on witness statements that identified the defendants (Johnson and Gonzalez) by distinctive clothing; supported by surveillance video from Walmart and Carmike Theater that shows the defendants approach the area and flee the scene; and usage of a stolen cell phone after the incident.”

According to Cuevas’ family members and police, Johnson, Gonzalez and an unidentified juvenile had tried to steal a cell phone and an iPod on Feb. 4 when Cuevas tried to intervene. Police called Cuevas a Good Samaritan for trying to help stop the robberies.

“He was just 15. Just trying to protect his cousin,” said Iris Cuevas, Angel’s mother. “Just trying to do the right thing.”

In his mother’s tear-filled eyes, Cuevas died a hero.

“That was him,” Iris Cuevas said. “He would always defend people that he loved and defend people that he cared about. These three guys just jumped out of nowhere and asked for his things.”

Cueva’s mother said those things included a cell phone and an iPod. Cueva’s family said he was stabbed in the chest and in the neck. His mother on Tuesday night said the candles and the rosaries in the family’s living room will stay put until her son’s killers are found.

“He died a hero protecting his cousin and that means like the biggest thing for me,” Iris Cuevas said.