Bartow Man, 31, Accused of Killing Father of His 17 Year Old Girlfriend

BARTOW -- Drugs, an unlawful relationship and wasp nests all factor in to a murder scene at a mobile home near Bartow early Friday.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says 31-year-old Raul DeAlejandro Rodriguez Jr. was arguing with the father of his girlfriend, who is a minor, 17 years old.

Judd says Rodriguez shot the victim with a .20-gauge shotgun and took off. They stopped a car nearby and found Rodriguez, and they say he had a shotgun shell in his pocket and another in a bag.

The sheriff says deputies had to get past a wasp nest to enter the mobile home and retrieve the body.

Sheriff Judd says detectives have been trying to investigate Rodriguez' relationship with the teen, but that she and her mother have not cooperated with authorities. Judd says Rodriguez was also selling drugs to the victim, the girl's father.

More charges are possible. Rodriguez's prior criminal record includes a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Photo: Polk County Sheriff's Office/Canva


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content