Rhode Island’s ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive Arrested in Guatemala After Eight Years
Guatemala City, Guatemala – John E. Nunez, 36, wanted for the 2017 murder of 22-year-aged Devin Burney in Providence, Rhode Island, was arrested in Guatemala on Tuesday, March 25, 2026. The arrest culminates an extensive eight-year investigation led by the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force.
Details of the 2017 Murder
On July 1, 2017, Devin Burney was fatally shot after leaving Noah’s Lounge on Broad Street in Providence . Authorities allege that Nunez committed a drive-by shooting and Burney died whereas attempting to shield his girlfriend from the gunfire .
Years on the Run
Following the shooting, Nunez allegedly evaded law enforcement by obtaining fraudulent identification documents and establishing a new life in Guatemala . Investigators developed information approximately 18 months ago suggesting Nunez was residing in Guatemala, prompting a focused effort to locate and apprehend him.
International Cooperation Leads to Arrest
The arrest was the result of close collaboration between multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, the Providence Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs . Critical support was also provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Guatemalan law enforcement authorities, specifically the Subdirección General de Análisis e Información Antinarcótica (SGAIA), Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) of Guatemala.
Statements from Law Enforcement
“This arrest sends a clear and unequivocal message: you can run, you can hide, and you can cross international borders, but you will not escape accountability,” said Wing Chau, U.S. Marshal for the District of Rhode Island .
Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force
The Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rhode Island State Police, comprises deputized Task Force Officers from various local police departments, including Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Middletown, Pawtucket, and Portsmouth, as well as the FBI and analytical support from the Rhode Island Army National Guard Counterdrug Program .
Next Steps
Nunez is currently being detained by Guatemalan authorities pending his extradition to the United States to face charges in Rhode Island, including charges of murder and gun-related offenses .
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