SPRINGDALE (KFSM) - Police are looking for two suspects in connection with a fatal gang-related shooting that happened in Springdale Saturday (April 11), according to the Springdale Police Department.
Police said they are looking for Rodolfo Martinez, 18, who is believed to be the shooter. They are also searching for Giovanni Vasquez -Sanchez, 17, who will turn 18 in a couple of days.
Martinez faces felony charges of capital murder and engaging in continuing criminal enterprise. Giovanni faces charges of accomplice to capital murder as well as felony engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. Police said they were last seen in a black extended cab truck.
Police arrested two suspects on Sunday (April 12) in connection with the shooting, according to the Springdale Police Department.
Police said Jose Delatorre, 18, of Springdale faces charges of being an accomplice to capital murder and engaging in continuing criminal enterprise. Police said they also arrested a a 13-year-old male, who faces the same charges as Delatorre.
All four suspects are wanted in connection to the death of 20-year-old Jimmy Rodriguez.
According to an arrest report, witnesses told police a blue Ford Focus with several people inside stopped in front of a home on Savage Street in Springdale on Saturday. The occupants began yelling at three males in the driveway, one of those being Rodriguez.
The report states the occupants in the car asked Rodriguez and the two other males what gang they represented. One of the individuals in the driveway responded, then one of the people in the car, who police believe to be Martinez, pulled out a silver handgun and fired three rounds. One of those rounds hit Rodriguez in the chest, according to the report.
Police said Rodriguez was transported to Northwest Medical where he later died.
The report states police found the blue Ford Focus several hours later at a residence in Springdale. Police said the car and silver handgun were confiscated. The suspects switched vehicles at the residence, and Sanchez and Martinez were last seen in black extended cab truck.
Delatorre is being held at the Washington County Detention Center without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 15, according to the detention center's website.
Springdale Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley released a statement on Sunday in reference to the recent violence.
"While some may choose to criticize local law enforcement and city government for not taking enough action to reduce the gang problem I will assure you that we are fully committed to addressing these issues and have committed resources to dealing with these problems. Officers and investigations are working tirelessly and we too share the concerns of the community."
Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse issued a statement on Sunday following Saturday's deadly shooting.
"I will be the first to admit that there are many, many things that I do not know. However, there are a few things that I do know, without a doubt. First, I know the people of Springdale. I know that our residents, including our minority population, will not sit back and allow our great city to be defined by the actions of a few."
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact the Springdale Police Department.
