A 32-year-old father of three was fatally shot outside his home in Twin Falls, Idaho, during the early hours of November 16, 2023.
The incident occurred as Fred Rodriguez confronted two people attempting to steal his Dodge Caravan. The suspects, identified as Mi’Quavis Dewayne Taylor and Kaden James Thomson, both 18, are now facing criminal charges in connection with the case.
The Twin Falls Police Department responded to a distress call at Rodriguez’s home, where they discovered him lying beside his Dodge Caravan with multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate medical attention, Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife, a key eyewitness, recounted the events leading up to the shooting, including a previous break-in where the keys to their Caravan were stolen. This theft prompted her to seek information via social media; what she read there led her to suspect the thief might return.
On the day of the incident, Rodriguez’s wife saw a white pickup truck across the street from their house. A man with gloves and a mask got out, came toward their house, and got into the driver’s side of the car. When the wife alerted her husband he came out with a bat and got into the passenger seat of his car, where the shooting occurred.
Police apprehended Taylor and Thomson the following day. During interrogation, Thomson reportedly admitted to the shooting, explaining his actions after firing at Rodriguez.
The Twin Falls Police Department reported that the suspects were allegedly involved in a series of car thefts prior to this incident. These criminal activities culminated in the fatal confrontation with Rodriguez. The murder weapon was later located in Boise, Idaho.
Both Taylor and Thomson have been charged with murder in the first degree, alongside multiple counts of burglary, grand theft, grand theft by possession of stolen property, and attempted grand theft. They are currently detained in Ada County, awaiting further legal proceedings.
A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with funeral expenses and support for Rodriguez’s family.
