Crime & Safety

Livermore Double Homicide Suspect Extradited From Mexico, Arrested

Yonston Vazquez, a suspect in the April 2024 double homicide at a Livermore La Quinta Inn, was arrested in Mexico Wednesday, police said.

Vazquez, 31, is accused of breaking into a hotel room and shooting his girlfriend and another man.
Vazquez, 31, is accused of breaking into a hotel room and shooting his girlfriend and another man. (Livermore Police Department)

LIVERMORE, CA — An Oakland man suspected of committing a double homicide in a Livermore hotel room was extradited from Mexico and booked into Santa Rita Jail, according to the Livermore Police Department.

Yonston Vazquez, 31, was taken into custody in Mexico on Wednesday at around 6:30 a.m. with the assistance of the FBI, police said.

He was booked on two counts of homicide in connection with a double murder that took place inside the La Quinta Inn in Livermore on April 27, 2024. At around 6:45 a.m. that day, Livermore police responded to reports of a shooting at the La Quinta Inn on Southfront Road. They arrived to find a 26-year-old woman from Oakland, later identified as Lisbeth Murillo-Rodriguez, and a 21-year-old man from Hayward, later identified as Christopher Vera, shot dead inside the room. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, marking Livermore’s first and second homicides of the year.

Find out what's happening in Livermorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to a report from the Bay Area News Group citing video and witness statements, Vazquez gained entry to the room by telling a hotel attendant that he lost his key. Since his ID matched the name of one of the listed occupants, he was granted a key. Still, video footage shows him kicking open the door to the room after seeing it was locked with a chain.

He found his longtime girlfriend in a room with Christopher Vera. The two struggled over a gun, causing it to go off.

Find out what's happening in Livermorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Livermore Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau and the FBI have spent nearly 16 months trying to track down Vazquez.

“This arrest represents the relentless pursuit of justice,” Livermore Police Chief Jeramy Young said in a statement. “From the first response to the final arrest, the professionalism and persistence of our officers, specialized units, and detectives were critical to bringing this case to resolution and ensuring accountability for the victims’ families. I would also like to thank the FBI for their assistance as this suspect would not be in custody without their efforts and our partnership.”

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.