Fourth suspect sought in gang-related shooting

Yuma police are searching for a Somerton teenager as a fourth suspect in what is being called a gang-related murder in Yuma.

During the course of their investigation, 18-year-old Hugo Rodriguez has been identified as possibly being involved in the murder early Friday morning of Octavio Acosta, 16 of Yuma, Yuma Police spokesman Officer Clint Norred said.

"He knows we are looking for him," Norred said. "He is the only person involved still outstanding."

Rodriguez is 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 210 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair. His last known addresses were 8197 W. County 16th St. in Somerton and 6565 W. Wall Lane in Yuma.

Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous and a felony warrant has been issued for his arrest.

"He is one of the two shooters," Norred said. "It is a possibility he is still in the area."

Police initially responded to a call of gunshots around 1:06 a.m. Friday in the area of the 4100 block of South Jojoba Avenue in Yuma. While they were en route, the call was upgraded to a man down in the 6200 block of East 41st Avenue.

There, officers found Acosta, who lived in the area, on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Throughout the day, the case developed rapidly, and police arrested John Sanchez, 18, Robert Ramirez, 16, and Cassandra Vargas, 15, all of who are of Yuma.

Sanchez was booked in the Yuma County Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and participating in a criminal street gang. Ramirez and Vargas are in Yuma County Juvenile Court Center.

Anyone with information about Rodriguez is asked to call Yuma Police Department at 783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

"We are asking from assistance from the public, hoping someone has information on his whereabouts," Norred said. "You can receive up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest."

For additional information contact Detective Jeff Ruby at 373-4691 or Detective Esmundo Tejeda at 373-4774.

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James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.