Miguel Rodriguez charged with reckless homicide in sister's death
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- 19-year-old Miguel Rodriguez faces one count of second-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon. This, after he allegedly shot and killed his sister, Brendaliz Morales Rodriguez, on January 8th.
Brendaliz Morales Rodriguez died after being shot on Tuesday, January 8th on the city’s south side. Authorities say the incident occurred in a home on W. Orchard Street near Cesar Chavez Drive around 4 a.m.
According the criminal complaint, police arrived on the scene around 4:08 a.m. Upon arrival, police observed Brendaliz Morales Rodriguez sitting in a chair in the living room with a gunshot wound to the head.
According to the criminal complaint, Rodriguez told police "I shot my sister. I killed my sister." According to Rodriguez, Brendaliz Morales Rodriguez was shot after he dropped a gun he was holding -- causing it to fire.
Following a second interview, Rodriguez changed his story, telling police that he had pushed the magazine release button and that it caused the gun to go off -- striking Brendaliz Morales Rodriguez in the head. Following the statement, officers informed Rodriguez that the gun would not go off upon pushing the magazine release button.
During the same interview, Rodriguez stated that he and Brendaliz were having a dispute over a video game on his phone. He further stated that he asked Brendaliz for the video game back while holding the gun in his hand, which was pointed at her. Police say Rodriguez again stated that he pressed the magazine release button and that the gun fired.
According to police, the gun was conveyed to the Wisconsin Regional Crime Laboratory where it was examined by a firearms and tool maker specialist. Upon examination, it was determined that the gun functioned properly and would not discharge by just pushing the magazine release button.
On January 9th, Rodriguez told police he was holding the gun and pointing it at his sister with his finger on the trigger and that when he pushed the magazine release button it caused his finger to pull the trigger.
If convicted, Rodriguez could face $100,000 in fines or up to 25 years in prison.
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