Suspect In Trans Woman's Killing Arrested In Texas: Police

BROOKHAVEN, GA —A transgender woman was found shot to death at her Brookhaven apartment three months ago, and police arrested the sole suspect in her death last week — but in Texas.

Pedro Silva-Renteria, 18, was arrested near Grand Prairie, Texas on Thursday with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Grand Prairie Police Department, Brookhaven police said in a news release.

The 18-year-old was named a suspect in the killing of Sophie Vasquez almost a week after she was found dead in the doorway of her apartment. Police said back then that they did not have evidence she was killed based on her gender, and have not clarified if this has changed.

Silva-Renteria will be held in Texas pending his extradition to Georgia, at which time he will be taken to the DeKalb County Jail. He faces a murder charge, and "additional charges are expected," Brookhaven police said.

“It is gratifying to know that the tireless efforts of Brookhaven Police and the U.S. Marshals Service everywhere caught the suspect in the heinous and senseless murder of Sophie Vasquez in May," Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst said in a statement. "While we all must be patient as the wheels of justice turn, I hope that the progress made in this case brings a little relief for the friends and extended family of Sophie Vasquez."

The investigation into this case is still ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Brookhaven police at 404-637-0600, or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

Related:

• 'Stop Killing Us': Trans Woman Shot, Killed In Brookhaven
• Suspect Named In Killing Of Trans Woman: Brookhaven Police