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Authorities in Aurora, Colorado, captured a suspect on Monday morning in connection with a shooting over the weekend that resulted in the death of one woman and left another critically injured. The suspect, identified as a Venezuelan national without legal status in the U.S., was being sought after the incident at an apartment in north-central Aurora early on Sunday morning.
Michel Jordan Castellano-Fonseca, 30, was apprehended around 6 a.m. near Mississippi Avenue and Chambers Road, according to a spokesperson from the Aurora Police Department.
The Aurora Police Department emphasized their commitment to reducing gun violence in the community and holding offenders accountable. Officers worked tirelessly to locate the suspect.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain described the incident as a preventable tragedy and stressed the importance of collaboration between agencies and access to technology to prevent and respond to violent crimes.
Chamberlain identified Castellano-Fonseca as a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2023. The suspect had not taken any steps to obtain legal residency or citizenship. While he had a previous traffic violation in Florida, no further legal action was taken at the time.
Chamberlain provided additional details about the shooting, indicating that it likely stemmed from a domestic violence situation.
The sequence of events began on Saturday evening when the suspect, allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol, left the apartment to acquire a firearm. He test-fired the weapon from a vehicle near East Mississippi Avenue and South Chambers Road before returning to the apartment around 3 a.m.
Upon his return, Castellano-Fonseca forced his way into the apartment and shot two women in the head as they sought refuge in a bathroom. One woman died at the scene, while the other remains in critical condition.
Five children, ages 1 to 15, were present during the incident but were unharmed physically.
After the shooting, the suspect fled in a green Acura MDX SUV with Colorado license plate CV0668. Police tracked his movements using surveillance systems and apprehended him at a Taco Bell without incident.
Chamberlain highlighted the suspect’s violent history and accused him of putting the lives of those he cared for in danger. He emphasized the importance of holding criminals accountable.
While the residents of the apartment were also Venezuelan immigrants, their legal status is unclear. Victim support services are assisting them.
Chamberlain also addressed the challenges facing law enforcement, including the influx of immigrants in Aurora and the tensions between local and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement.
He expressed concerns about restrictions on local police cooperation with federal agencies like ICE, citing fears among officers of being penalized for collaborating with federal partners.
Local law enforcement’s priority is to hold criminals accountable, not target immigrants, according to Chamberlain.
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
