HOUSTON – U.S. Marshals Metro Fugitive Task Force (MFTF), with the assistance of the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force and police in Grand Island, Nebraska, arrested a man wanted on a capital murder charge in Houston.
Jose Rivera, 30, was arrested at a motel in Grand Island. Rivera has been accused in the shooting death of Michael Phelan, 36, in January 2015.
"Thank God, thank God," said Phelan's mother, Rosemary Phelan, as she wiped away tears.
"They are going to get their due justice. What they deserve," Phelan continued.
Rivera was the fourth person arrested in an investigation that spanned nearly two years. Three others are already behind bars, according to the Phelan family.
"He's so missed. He was my oldest son. And he's so missed," Rosemary Phelan said.
Michael Phelan was shot during an armed robbery at his business, 45 Smoke Shop, on Jan. 10, 2015. Houston police released surveillance video that showed three men walking into the store with guns. Phelan fought his attackers, according to his family, but was pronounced dead at Ben Taub Hospital shortly after he was shot.
"He was full of love and a very happy person," Rosemary Phelan said.
Michael Phelan was a father of four, a husband, brother and son. His mother had a message for his alleged killers and others accused of taking someone's life.
"All these young people who are out committing these crimes, these murders, think about it a little bit. It's somebody's father, somebody's son," Phelan said.