The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – Columbia County Prosecutor Rea Culwell announced on Friday that Mexican law enforcement officials have arrested 42-year-old Benjamin Orozco, who is wanted for a 1996 murder in Dayton.

Orozco was taken into custody last week in San Francisco, Nayarit, Mexico. He is expected to be extradited to Columbia County within the next two months.

Orozco faces a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Lance Terry in downtown Dayton on July 7, 1996. He is also charged with first-degree assault for wounding David Eaton.

In a press release, Culwell said that she and Sheriff Rocky Miller have been working with the FBI to locate Orozco. “Through the work of an FBI agent in cooperation with Mexican authorities, Orozco was located and arrested,” the release said.

The shooting incident began when Terry and Eaton were driving in downtown Dayton and were flagged down by Orozco and another man. According to the press release, “Words were exchanged between the men and Lance Terry got out of the car. At one point, Orozco drew a gun and shot Terry, killing him. David Eaton got out of the car to help terry and was also shot by Orozco. Eaton suffered gunshot wounds to his hand and knee.

Orozco is believed to have immediately fled Columbia County, and ultimately, the United States.