deadmonton 2005 - sergeo arguello
Sergeo Arguello, 22, was shot to death December 9th, 2005.
Hector Ricardo Avalos and Jonathan Isaac Zuria, both 19, were charged with first-degree murder and seven other offences including conspiracy to commit arson, two counts of conspiring to commit murder, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Raul Josue Zuria, 24, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
An early morning home invasion, an arson and shots fired inside a Mill Woods home set the stage for Edmonton's 37th homicide of the year.
Police were called out to 3726 20 Street shortly before 9:00 a.m. after receiving reports of what was initially termed a home invasion. Arriving on scene cops found the house on fire.
It turned out that two masked men, at least one of them brandishing a sawed-off shotgun, had entered the home and tied up two men inside with duct tape.
One of the men escaped and while making his way to a friend's house he heard a gunshot. Moments later the house erupted in flames.
The 19-year-old who escaped somehow travelled 30 blocks to a house where his girlfriend was living. Police weren't sure if he drove or fled on foot. A woman at the house called 911.
Fire investigators said the fire was deliberately set in several places and that a body, later identified as Sergeo "Bobby" Arguello, was discovered in a second-floor bedroom. Neighbours reported the house was occupied by a man and two teens who they described as keeping odd hours and an unfriendly demeanor.
Police spokesmen were not saying if the events were drug- or gang-related, but one officer on scene was quoted as saying he suspected the incident was drug related.
Late in the day police issued arrest warrants for two Edmonton men.
Hector Ricardo Avalos and Jonathan Isaac Zuria, both 19, face charges of first-degree murder and seven other charges, including use of a firearm in the commission of an offence, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, kidnapping with a firearm, assault with a weapon, robbery with a firearm, disguise with intent and arson.
In the days following the fire and murder local print media quoted numerous sources close to the principals in this case who suggested the homicide was the result of a drug and gang dispute, with one person forecasting a deadly turf war was in the offing.
Allegedly, Arguello was the head of a Latino gang and used the rented house as his headquarters. One of his drug runners, a man named Cody, had been summoned to perform a drug-drop at a nearby gas station. It was there that two men in masks pushed their way into his car and forced him to drive to Arguello's house.
Arriving at the house, the two men restrained Cody with duct tape and went upstairs where Arguello was sleeping. During the ensuing struggle, a gun was fired. The men then punched holes in the walls and inserted toilet paper rolls which they set on fire.
Cody managed to break free of his bonds and ran to a house where his girlfriend lived, nearly four kilometres away from Arguello's house. It was reported that when Cody burst into the house he yelled, "My boss has been shot. My boss has been shot."
The occupants of the house where he sought refuge told media they live in fear of reprisal. They also said Cody had been dealing drugs for only three weeks and wanted to get out of the business.
It was reported that Cody and his mother had gone into hiding with the help of police. The media also contacted the families of the two men wanted by police but they did not know the whereabouts of the individuals. Edmonton's gang unit was called in with the investigation.
On December 12th, 2005 Hector Avalos, accompanied by his family, walked into police headquarters downtown and gave himself up. Police also received autopsy results that day but weren't releasing details fearing doing so might jeopardise their investigation.
On December 15th, 2005 Jonathan Zuria was arrested by RCMP in Surrey, British Columbia. Police had received word that Zuria may travel to Victoria and notified local authorities on Vancouver Island. Surrey RCMP became aware of the information and located Zuria at an apartment building in their city.
June 7th, 2006
Police in Victoria, British Columbia arrested a man and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of Sergeo Arguello.
Members of the Greater Victoria Police emergency response team arrested Raul Josue Zuria without incident.
Raul Zuria was known to Victoria police and had been living at several places in the B.C. capital region.
Zuria appeared in Victoria provincial court, was remanded in custody and ordered transported to Edmonton.
His brother, Jonathon Zuria, was picked up at a Surrey, B.C. apartment building on December 15th, 2005.
Hector Ricardo Avalos, Jonathon Zuria and Raul Zuria were set to appear in court June 20th, 2006.