The Pasadena Police Department held a press conference on August 18, 2023, seeking public assistance in the case of the murder of 11-year-old Maria Gonzalez in Pasadena, Texas. They identified 18-year-old Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, a Guatemalan migrant who had entered the US in January, as a suspect.
The investigation revealed that Garcia-Rodriguez lived in the same apartment complex as Maria and her family. Following substantial evidence linking him to the crime, the Harris County District Attorney's office charged him with capital murder, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
The Shreveport Police Department in Louisiana successfully apprehended Garcia-Rodriguez, who is now held at the Caddo Parish Correctional Center. He is awaiting extradition to Texas to face the charges.
The Gonzalez family expressed gratitude for the efforts of both the Pasadena Police Department and Louisiana police in capturing the suspect, hoping for justice to be served for Maria's tragic death.
