SPRINGDALE -- Police announced Monday night the suspected gunman in a Saturday shooting was in police custody.
Police were called to a shooting at 609 Savage St. at 11:20 a.m. Saturday.
Police spent Sunday searching for Rodolfo Martinez, 18, who they believe to be the gunman, and Giovanni Vasquez-Sanchez, 17, who was believed to be the driver of the car. A statement released by the Springdale Police Department shortly before 8 p.m. Monday said they were in the process of bringing Martinez and Vasquez back to Washington County.
The pair were found in Hartman, just outside of Clarksville in Johnson County.
Three men had been standing Saturday near a car outside, when four men in a blue Ford Focus pulled up and demanded to know their gang affiliations. One of the three said he was in a gang. One of the people in the car opened fire killing Jimmy Rodriguez, 20. It was unclear if Rodriguez was the person who named a gang affiliation.
A 13-year-old boy, one of the passengers in the car, was arrested Saturday night.
Jose Delatorre, 18, was arrested Sunday morning. Delatorre was also a passenger. After his arrest he told police the group had been looking for a rival gang member who disrespected them. Police believe Rodriguez was a cousin of their intended target.
Both the 13-year-old and Delatorre were arrested in Springdale in connection with counts of accomplice to capital murder and a felony count of engaging in continuing criminal enterprise. Delatorre was being held Monday in the Washington County Detention Center with no bond set.
"We're going to keep working right around the clock until we bring these individuals to justice," said Lt. Derek Hudson, police spokesman, Sunday.
The four involved in the shooting had criminal histories and Springdale police worked with surrounding agencies. Hudson named Benton County, Rogers and Fayetteville departments.
Martinez will be charged with capital murder and a felony count of engaging in continuing criminal enterprise. Vasquez-Sanchez will be charged as an adult in connection with accomplice to capital murder and a felony count of engaging in continuing criminal enterprise, according to a police news release.
Hudson, in an email Monday night, thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, Arkansas State Police and anyone who helped circulate information about the two men.
The Savage Street shooting was the third gang-related shooting in Springdale in a month and the second fatal shooting.
Two people were injured and Fabian Rodriguez, 18, was shot and killed at 32 Applegate Drive on March 13. Hector Saul Ramos, 17, was arrested in connection with the March 13 shooting.
A drive-by shooting overnight March 14 on Pierce Avenue resulted in the arrests of a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old. No one was injured.
Police and city leaders have been calling for cooperation among residents, educators, police and other organizations.
"We need to work the best we can with the community to put a stop to this violence," Hudson said Sunday.
NW News on 04/14/2015