Fourth Suspect Arrested in South Laredo New Year's Day Shooting

Laredo Police apprehend 21-year-old man in connection with vehicle shooting incident

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:39pm

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Laredo Police have arrested a 21-year-old man as the fourth suspect in a New Year's Day shooting investigation in a south Laredo neighborhood. The suspect was served an arrest warrant on January 28th and charged with discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities. The incident occurred on January 1st when officers responded to reports of shots fired from a vehicle in the 5200 block of Galicia Lane.

Why it matters

Gun violence and public safety are ongoing concerns in Laredo, with the city experiencing higher than average rates of violent crime compared to the rest of Texas. This arrest is part of an investigation into a specific incident that could provide insights into patterns of gun-related offenses in the area.

The details

According to police, officers stopped a gray Ford Fusion on January 1st and detained three occupants, including 20-year-old Rodrigo Joel Flores, an 18-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male. Investigators later determined a fourth male suspect had fired shots from an AR-style rifle and fled the scene. Officers recovered one spent casing from a nearby backyard and four additional casings from an empty lot near the original incident location.

  • The incident occurred on January 1, 2026.
  • The 21-year-old suspect was served an arrest warrant on January 28, 2026.

The players

Rodrigo Joel Flores

A 20-year-old male who was one of three occupants detained by police in the vehicle on January 1st.

Fourth Suspect

A 21-year-old male who was later identified as the shooter and arrested on January 28th.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the 21-year-old suspect at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This arrest is part of Laredo's ongoing efforts to address gun violence and improve public safety in the city, which has struggled with higher rates of violent crime compared to other parts of Texas.