Fugitive for Conflict Homicide

Jose Rodriguez is suspected of the double shooting of his neighbors over an ongoing conflict.

COLORADO FUGITIVE NEWS -- A fugitive is being sought by the Weld County Sheriff's Office for double shooting in the Fort Lupton, Colorado. Jose Artemian Rodriguez is charged with the First Degree Murder of 43-year-old Hugo Botello-Gonzalez on October 21, 2009, which occurred as a result of a conflict between the two neighbors.

According to the Sheriff's Department, deputies were called on October 18, 2009, allegedly the victim's dogs had harassed a horse and killed some chickens belonging to Jose Rodriguez. Animal control confiscated the dogs from Botello-Gonzalez. Three days later, the conflict continued in an argument turning into a physical fight. Jose Rodriguez then drew a handgun and shot Botello-Gonzalez and his wife, Olga Torrez, in their own yard.

Botello-Gonzalez's son called 911, and then started driving his father and stepmother to seek emergency medical treatment. Paramedics met with the trio in transit to the hospital, and then transferred the injured couple to an ambulance before finishing the trip to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. Hugo Botello-Gonzalez died, while Olga Torrez recovered from the wounds inflicted by Rodriguez' gunfire.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez' son, Alonzo Rodriguez-Lopez, was arrested and originally charged with murder. However, Weld County prosecutors now believe Jose Rodriguez is the killer, and have reduced the teenager's charges to first-degree assault.

Rodriguez has resided in California, Colorado, and Mexico. In Weld County, Rodriguez lived in the City of Fort Lupton and the towns of Hudson and Roggen. Rodriguez is described as having an abundant number of visible pigmented naevi (moles) located on the left side of his face and neck, above and below his right eye, and on the back of his neck. Rodriguez is further described as:

• Birth Date: October 20, 1958
• Height: 67 inches
• Weight: 250 pounds
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Black
• Sex: Male
• Race: Latino

Rodriguez is also known to use the following aliases:

• Jose Artemio Rodriguez
• Jose Artemian Rodriguez
• Jose Rodriguez

Anyone with knowledge of fugitive Jose Rodriguez, suspected of committing a conflict homicide, is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Line at 970-304-6565, or call Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 800-222-8477.