06/05/2026
LOS ANGELES – The California Highway Patrol (CHP), in coordination with the United States Marshals Service (USMS), arrested a murder suspect in Mexico who was wanted in connection with a fatal freeway shooting on Interstate 5 near Lorena Avenue on October 10, 2024.
CHP Southern Division Major Crimes Unit detectives responded to the scene of a shooting on October 10, 2024, after gunfire struck two men traveling on I-5. One of the victims, 29-year-old Encarnacion Escobedo, died from his injuries. The suspects fled the scene and initially evaded identification.
Following an extensive investigation, CHP detectives identified the two men responsible for the shooting as Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, and Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower.
Authorities arrested Joshua Rojas Sr. in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024. Investigators determined that Christian Rojas fled the United States and was hiding in Mexico. A $4.3 million-bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
CHP detectives requested assistance from the USMS Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend Rojas. Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico. The USMS worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.
On June 2, 2026, authorities arrested Christian Rojas in Palomo de Arriba and extradited him to the United States to face a murder charge. USMS personnel and CHP detectives took custody of Rojas and booked him into jail on the active warrant. “This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
