Man wanted in January shooting death arrested at U.S.-Mexican border

A man wanted in a Las Vegas slaying was arrested Saturday after attempting to enter the United States from Mexico.

Johnny Angel Esquivel, 26, was arrested after arriving at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California about 8:45 p.m., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

An officer entered Esquivel's name into a law enforcement database and discovered a felony warrant for homicide in Las Vegas, officials said.

Esquivel was wanted in the January shooting death of Edward Wernicke, brother of Las Vegas mayoral candidate Anthony Wernicke.

Edward Wernicke was found shot dead Jan. 20 near Alta Drive and Jones Boulevard.

After the slaying, Anthony Wernicke wrote an email to supporters claiming his brother was killed by an illegal immigrant and he planned to send a bounty hunter to Mexico to find the shooter.

"This piece of crap is probably heading to Mexico," Wernicke wrote. "Like most Mexicans, they bring their families here and commit crimes against U.S. citizens and head back to Mexico ... we have (a) team going to Mexico next week."

Officials said Esquivel was a U.S. citizen and a resident of Fresno, Calif. He was booked in the San Diego County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Las Vegas.

After the arrest, Wernicke said he was proud of the Metropolitan Police Department and border authorities for catching the shooter.

"I don't hate Mexicans, but he shot my brother in the back like a coward and ran," he said. "My family got justice, but how about the other families on the border that shoot our citizens and then take off? There needs to be a stop to this."

Wernicke said he will run for state senate in 2012 and hopes to dedicate new immigration legislation to his brother.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.