Rogers, Ark. – January 27, 2025 – A 17-year-old fugitive wanted in connection with the 2022 death of a Rogers teenager has been apprehended in Mexico, according to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). Alejandro Zenon-Reyes, the suspect in the shooting death of 17-year-old Alexus Lien Nguyen, was taken into custody in Veracruz, Mexico, on January 24 and was extradited to the United States the following day.
Zenon-Reyes is charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Nguyen on April 13, 2022. The incident took place on the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, where police responded to a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered Nguyen’s body with a gunshot wound, leading to an investigation by Rogers police detectives. The investigation identified Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, but he fled the state soon after the incident and evaded authorities for more than a year.
The U.S. Marshals had been actively searching for Zenon-Reyes, and a court order was issued to release his information, despite his juvenile status, to aid in his capture. The arrest in Mexico marks a significant development in the case, which had left the Rogers community searching for answers.
Zenon-Reyes was reportedly hiding out in Mexico following the shooting, and his arrest ends an extensive manhunt. Mexican authorities cooperated with U.S. officials to secure his extradition, and Zenon-Reyes arrived back in the United States on January 25.
The investigation into Nguyen’s death also led to the arrests of three individuals in September 2022, who were charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution. The individuals, Daniel Zenon Chavez, 44, Rosa Reyes-Zendejas, 42, and Giovanny Zenon, 21, all from Arkansas City, Kansas, were accused of assisting Zenon-Reyes in evading capture. They were ordered to pay $1.15 million in a lawsuit filed by Nguyen’s mother, Laquita Nguyen.
While Zenon-Reyes now faces legal proceedings in Arkansas, the case continues to draw attention to the issue of juveniles involved in violent crimes and the challenges of tracking down suspects who flee the country.
As the legal process moves forward, the Nguyen family hopes for justice for their daughter and a resolution to the tragedy that has shaken their community.