Albuquerque- An Albuquerque man is charged with an open count of murder for a fatal beating that happened at a gas station on the westside of the city. 33-year old Gabriel Rodriguez, was arrested after APD detectives determined that he had allegedly beaten a man outside the Maverick gas station on Bluewater RD NW Saturday night. The victim, who has not been identified pending family notification, was dead when officers arrived on the scene.
According to police, a witness told an employee of the gas station, that the suspect punched the victim in the face and ran off. Police reviewed video surveillance that showed the two men exchange words in front of the gas station. The victim extended an empty hand and the suspect allegedly immediately punched the victim four times in the face, then took off in an Infinity sedan.
The store employee recognized the suspect as a regular customer who would hang round the gas station often. Officers used license plate readers to locate the Infinity and assist with additional investigation to identify Rodriguez.
