It was around 1am yesterday when 19-year-old Chris Rodriguez took his last breath, destroying a family that still hadn't recovered from a double murder six years ago. And tonight, we can tell you that 20-year-old Fausto Teck has been charged for the teenager's murder.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Rodriguez went to play football on the Broaster Stadium, a routine for him. But the National Sports Council recently implemented a recreational usage fee and when Teck - who was the caretaker - confronted him about it, that turned into an argument which turned fatal.
And yesterday, a chilling video of a chase emerged on Facebook. But last night, the full video came out, revealing another piece of the story. While this video didn't affect the murder charge levied on Teck, this morning the commissioner told us that the police had to investigate if it was a case of self defense
Courtney Menzies has this story:
Last night, everybody who called 19-year-old Chris Rodriguez son, brother, nephew, friend, or teammate marched through the streets of Santa Elena and San Ignacio holding candles in remembrance of the life taken so suddenly. The procession marched to the Broaster Stadium, where Rodriguez had been stabbed several times while playing his favorite sport.
And that's where they laid out the candles to spell the name of a boy gone too soon - an aspiring football player who will never get the chance to reach that goal.
And while his family still waits for a conviction for the 2016 murders of Rodriguez's mother and aunt, they're hoping that justice will be swifter in this case.
Especially with what seemed to be damning evidence caught on video - the alleged killer, 20-year-old Fausto Teck, apparently pursuing the victim with a weapon in hand. Rodriguez's family believed that Teck was out for blood.
But last night, the rest of the video found its way to the internet - revealing a shocking twist to this story. While Teck may have been throwing verbal taunts as Rodriguez's 17-year-old cousin - who was an eyewitness - said, it was the victim who threw the first punch.
And it was only after that punch did the chase begin - which led to the moment when Rodriguez was stabbed in the neck and under his rib cage.
So how does this latest piece of evidence affect the case? According to the ComPol, Teck is claiming that his actions were in self defense.
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"Let me first and foremost say that the whole incident is very unfortunate. We live in a society where many of our young people do not have the opportunity to engage positively in sporting activities and to have seen that a young man who was doing his best to engage in sports and to do something positive himself and end up dying the way he did. It's rather unfortunate and I would to extend sincere condolences to his family for that great loss. We don't know where the young man would have ended up from playing football. Nonetheless, the whole circumstances of the event was unnecessary and I join the minister in saying it not ought to have occurred over a $15 fine that perhaps should have been paid. When in fact we found out now that it didn't have to be paid because it only applied to teams and not private or individuals who are there to practice. So that's the whole issue that makes it even worse. Nonetheless, we will do our investigation and security is indeed claiming self defense and the fact that he is claiming self defense, it mandates us by law to send the file to the DPP for a determination to be made. So I know the file and all the video footage were sent to the DPP office yesterday and hopefully by the end of today we'll get feedback from either the DPP or her representative, directing us with how we are going to proceed with the matter."
Courtney Menzies
"In your opinion, does he have a strong case for self defense?"
Chester Williams
"I'm not going to comment on that at the time, I'll leave that for the experts to deal with."
So for now, all Rodriguez's family can do is wait with bated breath to see what charges - if any - will be levied.
As we mentioned earlier, since that interview, Teck has indeed been charged for murder.
