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Suspect In Bridgeport Restaurant Murder Arrested In Florida

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- The suspect in a murder at a Mexican restaurant in Bridgeport last September was arrested in Florida on Tuesday.

Douglas Rivas

Douglas Rivas

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Police Department

On Sept. 29, 2016, Cristobal Hernandez, 36, was shot and killed inside El Paraiso Restaurant, located at 1026 Madison Ave. in Bridgeport. Police said at the time that the shooting likely happened as a result of an altercation between two men. Detectives identified Douglas Rivas, 34, as the person who shot Hernandez, according to police.

Related story: Bridgeport Police investigate shooting death of man in restaurant argument

The day after the shooting, police secured a warrant for Rivas's arrest, charging him with murder, criminal possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a weapon. The U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force began looking for Rivas, but at the time he was not located. His photo was distributed to the media to facilitate leads in the case, and police said that detectives received several tips from the public.

Earlier this month police detectives received new information that Rivas might be residing in Florida. Detectives worked with U.S. Marshals in Florida, and on Tuesday Rivas was taken into custody in Fellsmere, Florida and charged as a fugitive from justice.

Police said that they expect Rivas will be extradited back to Connecticut sometime in the near future.

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