John William Galvao-Sahb, a 23-year-old fugitive wanted for a 2021 murder near Fort Walton Beach, has been captured in Mexico and returned to the United States following a four-year investigation, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

• Galvao-Sahb held active arrest warrants from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for first degree premeditated murder in connection with the shooting death of Earnest Riggs Jr. on March 17, 2021.

The breakthrough in the case came from an anonymous tip to Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers, which provided information that Galvao-Sahb was residing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Members of the United States Marshals Service captured him during June 2025 and extradited him back to the United States, where he is currently pending extradition to Okaloosa County.

The investigation was conducted by members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the United States Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. Galvao-Sahb was also featured on the nationwide series “In Pursuit with John Walsh.”

• “This case is a powerful example of how anonymous tips can make a real difference,” said Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers Coordinator Nicole Hodskins. “Because someone chose to speak up, a dangerous fugitive wanted for murder is now in custody. We’re incredibly proud to be a bridge between the public and law enforcement in the pursuit of justice.”

The original incident occurred on Vincent Lane when multiple 911 calls were received around 7 p.m. reporting sounds of gunfire. Responding deputies found 48-year-old Riggs inside a Chevrolet rental work truck parked in the street. Two workers who had been in the truck during the shooting remained on scene, while two others had fled.

According to investigators, witnesses reported seeing a man in black walking around the area for more than an hour before the shooting took place. Riggs had been at the location because someone was inquiring about a bid on concrete work.

Witnesses told investigators they saw a young man dressed in black walking toward the truck and shooting a handgun directly at Riggs, who was sitting inside the vehicle. The shooter then ran from the scene.

An arrest warrant for Galvao-Sahb was issued in January 2022, nearly 10 months after the shooting. At the time of the murder, he had an address on Patio Road in Fort Walton Beach but left the area shortly after the incident.