Idaho Dad Is Killed in Front of Home While Confronting Man Allegedly Trying to Steal His Car: Police

Fred Rodriguez, 32, was fatally shot while fending off a car thief, say police

A father of three was fatally shot after he confronted a suspect who was allegedly attempting to steal his car outside his Idaho home.

Mi’Quavis Dewayne Taylor, 18, was charged with murder in the first degree, three counts of burglary, six counts of grand theft, two counts of grand theft by possession of stolen property and attempted grand theft in connection with the Nov. 16 death of Fred Rodriguez.

Also charged is 18-year-old Kaden James Thomson, who faces charges of murder in the first degree, three counts of burglary, five counts of grand theft, grand theft by possession of stolen property and attempted grand theft.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Twin Falls police were called to Rodriguez's home in the early morning hours of Nov. 16 on a report of a “man being shot.”

At the scene, officers found Rodriguez, 32, bleeding on the ground next to his 2014 Dodge Caravan.

Rodriguez’s wife told officers that her husband had been shot while confronting someone trying to steal the Caravan and that “in the last couple of days someone broke into their Dodge Caravan and stole the keys,” the affidavit states.

“She made a post on Facebook looking for other people who had the same thing happen,” according to the affidavit. “Based on responses to her post, she believed the thief would return to steal their van.”

On the morning of the attack, Rodriguez’s wife said she spotted a white pickup truck across the street from their home and saw the driver “approach her property while wearing what she believed to be gloves and a face covering.”

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According to the affidavit, Fred Rodriguez went outside with a baseball bat to confront the person.

“[Rodriguez’s wife] said that [the victim] got into the front passenger side of their van and confronted the thief, who was now in the driver seat of the van. [Rodriguez’s wife] then heard gunshots and saw muzzle flashes coming from the van.”

Authorities said Fred Rodriguez was shot five times and pronounced dead at the scene.

After the shooting, neighbors allegedly saw the suspect running to a white truck, getting in the passenger side of the vehicle and then fleeing the area at a high rate of speed, the affidavit states.

Crime scene investigators found seven shell casings inside the van.

Thomson and Taylor were arrested on Nov. 17 and both allegedly spoke to police.

In an interview, investigators allegedly asked Thomson what happened after he allegedly shot Rodriguez.

“Thomson said he got out [of] the car, left the key and the bullet casings, ran to the Ford-F-150, and left with Taylor driving,” the affidavit alleges. “Thomson said he told Taylor he shot F. Rodriguez, and they needed to leave.”

Taylor allegedly told police that he had done “extensive research about to be a better car burglar,” according to the affidavit. “He has watched videos on this topic, including about the meaning of different lights being on in the home. ... Taylor made a statement to the effect of: Thomson shot F. Rodriguez six times, I didn’t expect him to shoot him six times, he should have just pointed the gun, but if he didn’t stop coming at him in a certain way, I understand you at least have to shoot him in the leg.”

Police later found the alleged murder weapon at a home in Boise.

Police said the two teens were allegedly responsible for numerous car thefts in the previous days.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

“Freddy was the sole provider for his traditional family,” the page read. “He was an extremely hard worker with great family values.”

Taylor and Thomson have yet to enter a plea. Both are being held on bond in Ada County in connection with separate allegations.

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