Ivan Aguilera Torres picture from a previous arrest. Image is courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
LAKE CITY, Fla. - A Saturday night fight on Hillside Drive in New Port Richey turned deadly, triggering a multi-agency manhunt that ended with a suspect's arrest in Lake City on Monday morning, according to police.
New Port Richey altercation
What we know:
According to the New Port Richey Police Department, officers responded to a reported disturbance on Hillside Drive around 9:17 p.m. Saturday. The incident escalated into a physical fight, leaving 39-year-old Odisnel Santana Pena with life-threatening injuries.
Despite lifesaving efforts, police said Pena died at the scene. Police identified 44-year-old Ivan Aguilera Torres as the suspect and reported that he ran from the area immediately after the fatal fight.
Multi-agency police search
What we don't know:
Detectives have not released what caused the initial disturbance between the two men. Authorities have also not specified what weapons, if any, were involved in the physical altercation.
Regional surveillance tracking
Dig deeper:
Tampa police received information that Torres was at a home within their jurisdiction. Detectives spoke with an individual there who admitted driving Torres to Gainesville earlier that day.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and matching FLOCK camera data, which showed the driver leaving with Torres and returning alone. The leads led Lake City police to locate and arrest Torres on Monday morning.
Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler said, "Our officers worked quickly and methodically to locate a suspect wanted for a serious violent crime. Their coordination with Pasco County and the cooperation of local hotel staff resulted in a safe arrest without injury to the public, the suspect, or our officers."
Ongoing death investigation
What's next:
The New Port Richey Police Department confirmed the investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Police expressed appreciation to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Tampa Police Department and Lake City Police Department for assisting in the case.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler, who issued a statement on the arrest, as well as the Lake City Police Department and the New Port Richey Police Department.