A suspect was arrested by police in Aurora, Colorado, on Monday morning in connection to a shooting that occurred over the weekend, resulting in the death of one woman and critical injuries to another. The man, identified as a Venezuelan national, is reportedly in the United States without legal documentation.
Authorities had been searching for 30-year-old Michel Jordan Castellano-Fonseca after a shooting took place early Sunday morning at an apartment in north-central Aurora. During the incident, five children, aged 1 to 15, were present in the home.
According to a spokesperson for the Aurora Police Department, Castellano-Fonseca was apprehended around 6 a.m. near Mississippi Avenue and Chambers Road.
“The Aurora Police Department is committed to eradicating gun violence in our community and is determined to bring perpetrators to justice,” the department stated, highlighting that officers had been tirelessly working to locate the suspect.
Aurora police arrest Venezuelan national in weekend apartment shooting that killed one woman. (Aurora Police Department)
Police said the children were not physically harmed during the shooting.
Following the incident, Castellano-Fonseca reportedly escaped in a green Acura MDX SUV with a Colorado license plate CV0668. A public alert was issued, labeling him as “armed and dangerous.”
Investigators employed surveillance technology to monitor the suspect’s vehicle and activities. He was ultimately found at a Taco Bell, where he was arrested without any issues.
Chamberlain reiterated that the suspect had a history of violence and accused him of endangering the lives of those he claimed to care for. “This person is now off the streets and in custody,” he said.
While authorities confirmed that the residents of the apartment were also Venezuelan immigrants, their legal status remains unclear. Victim support services are currently working with them.
Chamberlain also spoke on the broader challenges facing law enforcement, including the influx of immigrants to Aurora and the tension between local and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement.
He criticized current restrictions that limit local police cooperation with federal agencies like ICE, particularly following recent legal actions by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.
“Officers are afraid of being penalized just for cooperating with federal partners,” Chamberlain said. “That’s a serious concern for local law enforcement trying to deal with rising crime. We are not here to target immigrants. We are here to hold criminals accountable.”
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
