Federal authorities have arrested a Marine in connection with the murder of a Texas college student who was shot in the head while driving friends home on New Year's Eve.Texas college student on New Years
Cpl. Eric Jamal Johnson was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Tuesday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, for the murder of 20-year-old University of North Texas student Sara Mutschlechner in the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
Johnson, who is Johnson is currently assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, at MCAS Yuma, according to the Marine Corps. was arrested "at approximately 6:30 a.m. at the North Gate of the installation in fulfillment of a warrant issued in connection to an alleged shooting in Denton, Texas," according to a Marine Corps news press release.
"MCAS Yuma Provost Marshall's Office and Naval Criminal Investigative Service assisted the U.S. Marshal Service and the Yuma Police Department in the detainment of Johnson and remain in support of the U.S. Marshal's ongoing investigation," the release states the Marine Corps said.
Mutschlechner, serving as a designated driver for her friends following a New Year's party, was shot in the head following an altercation at a traffic stop, Denton police officer Shane Kizer said at a press conference Tuesday as reported by CNN.
"It was an amicable conversation to begin with, but quickly went downhill and some derogatory statements were made toward the female occupants of that vehicle," Kizer said.
The remarks were allegedly of a "sexual nature," and a male passenger in Mutschlechner's vehicle took issue with them and called them out as offensive.
"Some comments were made back towards him, even a couple of threats were thrown," the police spokesman said. "About that time, they were driving through the intersection ... when several shots were fired."
After two or three rounds were fired at Mutschlechner's vehicle, she lost control and crashed into an electrical pole.
Johnson, 25, was identified by witnesses in his vehicle at the time of the shooting, according to CBS' Dallas-Ft. Worth affiliate.
"What we do know is that he was seen with a handgun in the vehicle right before the time that the shots were fired from the vehicle," Kizer said.
Police received a call to respond shortly after 2 a.m. and found Mutschlechner lying on the ground. She was brought to the hospital and placed on life support, but died later that evening.
