Pair arraigned in Manassas killing

By Amanda Stewart

Published: June 20, 2008

Two suspects in the murder of Omar Florencio-Vazquez, who was shot to death in Manassas on May 31, were extradited from Connecticut this week.

Jose Antonio Ontiveros, 27, and Santos Ontiveros, 24, both of 9733 Bragg Lane in Manassas, were arraigned Wednesday in Prince William General District Court on charges of murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to court records.

The men, as well as another suspect, Sebastian Cortez-Hernandez, 26, were arrested by U.S. Marshals in Meridien, Conn., earlier this month.

Both men were scheduled to appear in Prince William General District Court Friday for a preliminary hearing, but the hearings were continued to July 18, court records indicate.

Cortez-Hernandez is still in Connecticut awaiting an extradition hearing, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in a Connecticut court for an extradition hearing on July 3.

Florencio-Vazquez, 24, who resided in the Georgetown South neighborhood of the city, was shot several times near the Grant Avenue Shopping Center in Manassas on May 31, police said.

Police said Florencio-Vazquez, two brothers and a cousin were walking to the shopping center for something to eat when they encountered a group of 10 men whom Florencio-Vazquez

recognized as the same men who had attacked him two weeks earlier.

Florencio-Vazquez decided to leave, but one of the men from the group pulled out a gun and shot him several times, killing him.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.