Man arrested in connection with shooting of 13-year-old girl in Pueblo
Mackenzie Stafford
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) confirmed to KRDO13 that they have arrested a man in connection with the shooting of a 13-year-old girl near the Pueblo Riverwalk.
Romello Hernandez was arrested on a warrant for Attempted 1st Degree Homicide, according to PPD.
KRDO13 obtained video of the arrest, which PPD confirmed was of Hernandez. That video is featured above.
Romello Hernandez (Photo: PPD)
PREVIOUS REPORTING: 13-year-old girl facing life-threatening injuries after shooting near Pueblo Riverwalk
According to the department, they were sent out just before 3 a.m. on July 14 because a teen was at the hospital after being shot.
As of our initial report, the girl was facing life-threatening injuries. Family said they had stopped for food before the 13-year-old went to a sleepover with friends when the shooting happened.
KRDO13 obtained an arrest affidavit pertaining to Hernandez’s arrest that details a gathering at the parking lot near the riverwalk. Detectives found many teens gathered there and were drinking alcohol.
Arrest documents from PPD include multiple witness interviews, all of which build a case against Hernandez. From interviews, detectives believe there was an argument that led up to the shooting.
The girl driving the car that the 13-year-old was in told police she looked down at her phone, heard a bang, and then there was a bullet hole through her windshield. She told them that when she turned around, she saw her friend slumped over in the back. She told detectives everyone had scattered. Police confirmed from surveillance video in the area that the cars in the lot drove away from the scene quickly after the shooting occurred.
In interviews, detectives did photo line-ups. They asked witnesses to pick the shooter, and they said in every case where someone could pinpoint a person, they all chose Hernandez.
Hernandez is being held in the Pueblo County Jail and will be in court on Thursday.
Anyone with additional information on this case is encouraged to call Det. Jose Medina at 719-553-3296. Information can also be reported via Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 719-542-7867 (STOP) or online at http://pueblocrimestoppers.com.