Second suspect taken into custody in LA in shooting death of Carrboro man

A second suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a 41-year-old man that took place in late May in Carrboro.

Dolores De Jesus Benavides Zelaya of Burlington was charged with killing Juan Maldonado Espinoza at Estes Park Apartments.

Benavides Zelaya was arrested July 31 in Los Angeles and is being extradited to North Carolina, the Carrboro Police Department announced Thursday.

He also faces felony conspiracy and felony attempted kidnapping charges.

Ex-girlfriend previously charged

The first suspect, Karla Maria Machuca of Burlington, was charged in June for her suspected role in Maldonado Espinoza’s death. In July, Machuca was arrested in Los Angeles, then extradited to North Carolina. She also faces felony conspiracy and felony attempted kidnapping charges, according to Carrboro police.

Machuca had dated Maldonado Espinoza and was previously charged with misdemeanor domestic violence against her ex-boyfriend, court records show.

Carrboro police responded to calls from neighbors who heard gunshots around 11:40 p.m. on May 29. After arriving at the apartment complex, officers found Maldonado Espinoza dead from a gunshot wound. His neighbors tried to help him, 911 calls obtained by The News & Observer showed.

One witness told the 911 operator they saw two or three people drive away in a silver car after the shooting.

Maldonado Espinoza’s death marked the second shooting with an injury in Carrboro this year, according to police.