WASHINGTON — A suspect in a gang-related killing with ties to Maryland has been added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
On Wednesday, the FBI announced Walter Gomez is the 513th person to be added to the list. Gomez is wanted for a 2011 murder in New Jersey, and is a known member of the MS-13 gang, the FBI says.
The FBI says in May 2011, Gomez and another person hit Julio Matute in the head with a bat, sliced his throat and stabbed him in the back 17 times with a screwdriver because he was suspected of socializing with a rival gang. When police tried to arrest Gomez at his house, he jumped out the second-story window and escaped into Plainfield, New Jersey.
“His friend never saw it coming, it was really very brutal,” said FBI case agent, Daniel Brunner. “His friend never stood a chance.”
Gomez was last seen in Maryland after he was driven there from New Jersey, the FBI says.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Gomez in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, on Sept. 19, 2013, after he was charged with violent crime in aid of racketeering.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to Gomez’s arrest.
“If somehow you know where he is, or if you’re friends with a friend who is friends with him, I would like you to call 1-800-CALL-FBI,” Brunner said. “But for safety purposes, if you’re physically near him, dial 911. Get the police there as soon as possible.”
