Man who hid in Mexico on trial for 2010 Tacoma homicide

Juan Ortiz spent the last seven years hiding in Mexico wanted for murder. Pierce County prosecutors say in 2010,  when Ortiz was 17, he was the triggerman in the murder of Juan Zuniga, a high ranking member of a Tacoma gang known as the Eastside Lokotes Surenos or ELS.

According to investigators, Ortiz was ordered to kill Zuniga two months after the unintended murder of Camille Love. She was shot and killed on the night of February 7, 2010 when members of the ELS mistook her and her brother for rival gang members. Her brother Josh was wounded but survived.

Pierce County Prosecuting attorney Mark Lindquist said the death of the 20 year old Love, who had no connection to gangs,  was the last straw for leaders of the ELS and the end of Zuniga's life.

Members had tired of problems they blamed on Zuniga, including the high profile murder of Love.  Her death helped trigger a crackdown by Tacoma police and the Pierce county prosecutors targeting the ELS

In May of that year the gang allegedly ordered Ortiz and another member Naitaalii Toleafoa, who was 15 years old, to go his home in Tacoma and take him out.

>> Get local news updates anytime with the KIRO 7 News App 

“The members decided, time to execute him,” Lindquist said.

Ortiz fled to Mexico shortly after the murder. Now 24, he was arrested in Mexico City in August 2016 by Mexican authorities after the FBI found out he was there. He was extradited and booked into the Pierce County Jail on Tuesday night.

“When it comes to murder case we are persistent,” Lindquist said. “When it comes to murder case involving street gangs we are especially persistent.”

Ortiz pleaded not guilty to first degree murder, first degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm during his arraignment Wednesday. He was ordered held on $5 million bail.

Eight other ELS members, including Toleafoa were charged and convicted in connection with Zuniga’s murder.

Cox Media Group