Ferndale police arrested Marcelo Rodriguez, 18, on March 25 near Sumas on suspicion of rendering criminal assistance in the first degree in relation to a January homicide.
Police responded Jan. 23 to a shooting outside the American Legion building in Ferndale. When they arrived they found bystanders attempting life-saving aid to a shooting victim, Jose Esquivel Hernandez.
At the time, Ferndale Police Department Communications Officer Riley Sweeney said Hernandez, 28, sustained two gunshot wounds outside of the building after being seen arguing with another man.
Police identified Miguel Angel Miranda, 23, as the homicide suspect. He was arrested near Phoenix Jan. 28.
“It is believed that Rodriguez helped coordinate Miranda’s escape from Washington,” a Tuesday release from Sweeney stated. “Records gained by investigators show several phone calls between Rodriguez and Miranda and that Miranda traveled to the area of Rodriguez’s residence in Lynden, WA immediately following the shooting. Additionally, information gathered indicated that Rodriguez then drove Miranda to Oregon, prior to him fleeing to Arizona where he was arrested days later.”
On March 10, investigators also arrested Kimberly Trujillo Mendoza, 21, for rendering criminal assistance in the first degree. Trujillo Mendoza and Miranda are dating and have a child together, according to Sweeney.
“During a search of Trujillo Mendoza’s vehicle, receipts were located from various businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Phoenix, Arizona area,” a March 14 press release from Sweeney stated. “Using these receipts to further investigate security footage and bank records, investigators were able to verify that Trujillo Mendoza was in fact using the vehicle, along with another person who is believed to be Miranda.”
Trujillo Mendoza admitted to driving with Arizona with Miranda, according to investigators. “She also admitted to purchasing new phones in Las Vegas, along with other supplies along the way and picking up Miranda in Portland, Oregon following the shooting.”
