Man Who Fatally Shot Girlfriend In Philly Arrested: US Marshals

PHILADELPHIA — Federal authorities took a man wanted for murder into custody Thursday morning in Philadelphia.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Abiud Torres, 20, was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force at about 6:30 a.m. on the 1800 block of Hart Lane in Philadelphia.

Torress was wanted for the Dec. 23, 2023 murder of his girlfriend, Tatiana Vargas, 35, on the 3100 block of Hartville Street.

According to authorities, Torres allegedly shot Vargas in front of her 11-year-old
son and then fled the scene after he and Vargas got into an argument.

A warrant for homicide was issued the same day, and the warrant was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in January 2024.

During the investigation, federal investigators developed information Torres may be frequenting multiple abandoned residences in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

At 6 a.m. Thursday, more than two dozen investigators from the fugitive task force gathered to investigate where Torres may have been hiding.

At 6:45 a.m., Torres was confirmed to be in a home on the 1800 block of Hart Lane.

Torres complied with officer’s commands and was taken into custody without incident.

He was then taken to the Philadelphia Homicide Detective for processing.

"Abiud Torres committed a senseless, tragic crime, against a woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy Marshal, said. "I am hoping this arrest can bring some closure to the Vargas family and all who knew Tatiana Vargas.”