Colorado Pit Bull's Horse Play Leads To Murder In Weld County

Colorado Pit Bull's Horse Play Leads To Murder In Weld County

Update:
A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday in connection to the double shooting in Weld County. He is being held for attempted first degree murder.

The Denver Post reports that Weld County Sheriffs deputies are still looking for a second suspect in the case, Jose Rodriquez, 51.

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A Weld County man was shot dead Wednesday night, and his wife injured, after an argument over his pit bull's behavior.

Weld County Undersheriff Margie Martinez told the Greeley Tribune that the argument began over one of the victims' dogs, a pit bull, chasing and harassing the suspects' horses.


Hugo Botello-Gonzalez, 43, was killed in front of his home on Weld County Road 18 between county roads 39 and 41, according to Martinez. Botello-Gonzalez's wife, whose name was not released, was taken by ambulance to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after being shot. Her condition was not available late Wednesday.

Originally, five male suspects and one female suspect were believed to be inside a residence about 40 yards from the crime scene late Wednesday night, where SWAT teams were called to attempt to apprehend the suspects, Martinez said.

Thursday morning however, no one was in the house and four people are being considered as witnesses, and two suspects have been identified.

They remain at large, but arrest warrants were being prepared for them Thursday morning.

Sheriffs seized the pit bull as a dangerous dog and holding it at the Weld Humane Society.

The Denver Post reported that the dispute began Sunday when the pit bull started harassing and chasing chickens and cattle in rural Weld County.


After the incident on Sunday, tension had been simmering and it resulted in the shootings at about 9:30 p.m. [Wednesday] night.

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