A suspected drug trafficker is accused of fatally shooting another man early last month during a fight outside an East Central convenience store.
Martin Osoria, 33, is charged with an open count of murder in the Jan. 1 death of 40-year-old Felipe Vigil.
Federal agents arrested Osoria on Wednesday after he allegedly sold fentanyl to an undercover officer at his apartment, two blocks from where Vigil was killed.
Authorities found 370 grams of fentanyl, a pistol, AK-style rifle, a drum-style magazine and cash in Osoria’s car and home.
His attorney could not be reached Saturday.
An online obituary described Vigil as a father of three who had a passion for tattooing.
“He had a big heart and was loved by many. When he went to the store at least 3 or 4 people knew him,” according to the obituary.
Police responded just after midnight on New Year’s Eve to reports of a body near Dallas and Central, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Officers found Vigil shot to death and the bullet trajectory showed he was shot at least twice while on the ground.
Surveillance video showed Vigil got into back-to-back fights outside the Adam Food Market near Central and Pennsylvania. The store has been the site of a number of homicides, violent incidents and drug dealing in recent years.
Police said video showed Vigil being thrown out of the store and beaten while on the ground. Vigil is seen running away before Osoria appeared to grab something from another man and running after Vigil.
Within 10 seconds of Osoria chasing Vigil out of the camera’s view, gunfire rang out, according to the complaint. Weeks later a confidential informant — who is facing drug charges — told police Osoria was responsible for Vigil’s death.
Police said the informant told them during the fight Osoria grabbed a gun from someone else and said “he was going to kill” Vigil. The informant said Osoria then followed Vigil before he was fatally shot.
