Martin County Sheriff's Office Looking for Murder Suspect
By: Alison Ciaramitaro
Updated: August 23, 2011
GRADY -- The Martin County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect in a weekend murder.
Anau Rodriguez Villagrana -- a resident of Lamesa -- was shot by Jose Americo Garcia Sunday morning after a fight between the two escalated quickly.
The two were at a party at a home on County Road D3600 near Grady. Garcia reportedly left the party Saturday night but then returned to the house around 8:45 AM Sunday. Garcia knocked on the door looking for Villagrana but was told he was not there.
Garcia didn't buy the explanation, and deputies say he busted the door open and grabbed Villagrana. Tempers quickly rose and Garcia pulled out a gun and shot Villagrana with a single bullet.
Villagrana was rushed to Midland Memorial Hospital where he died an hour later.
Meanwhile, Garcia reportedly took off in a black Chevy Suburban with Texas license plates 747-LDT.
"This is out of character for Garcia," said Martin County Sheriff John Woodward. "He's a nice guy -- or has been up to this point."
Garcia is a Mexican citizen who was living in Lamesa on a work visa. He's 5'4", 173 pounds and he has brown eyes and brown hair. Deputies say Garcia might have fled to Mexico with his wife -- Rosa Linda Garcia -- and their two children.
The deputies' main concern is for Garcia wife and children, since they do not know the current mindset of Garcia.
DPS did tell Big 2 the Suburban was spotted in Lamesa around 6:30 PM Monday, but no arrests have been made and they do not know where Garcia is. They also don't know what started the fight.
If anyone has any information or if they have seen Garcia they are encouraged to call the Martin County Sheriff's Office at (432) 756-3336. Don't approach the vehicle or Garcia, since deputies consider him armed and dangerous.
Anau Rodriguez Villagrana -- a resident of Lamesa -- was shot by Jose Americo Garcia Sunday morning after a fight between the two escalated quickly.
The two were at a party at a home on County Road D3600 near Grady. Garcia reportedly left the party Saturday night but then returned to the house around 8:45 AM Sunday. Garcia knocked on the door looking for Villagrana but was told he was not there.
Garcia didn't buy the explanation, and deputies say he busted the door open and grabbed Villagrana. Tempers quickly rose and Garcia pulled out a gun and shot Villagrana with a single bullet.
Villagrana was rushed to Midland Memorial Hospital where he died an hour later.
Meanwhile, Garcia reportedly took off in a black Chevy Suburban with Texas license plates 747-LDT.
"This is out of character for Garcia," said Martin County Sheriff John Woodward. "He's a nice guy -- or has been up to this point."
Garcia is a Mexican citizen who was living in Lamesa on a work visa. He's 5'4", 173 pounds and he has brown eyes and brown hair. Deputies say Garcia might have fled to Mexico with his wife -- Rosa Linda Garcia -- and their two children.
The deputies' main concern is for Garcia wife and children, since they do not know the current mindset of Garcia.
DPS did tell Big 2 the Suburban was spotted in Lamesa around 6:30 PM Monday, but no arrests have been made and they do not know where Garcia is. They also don't know what started the fight.
If anyone has any information or if they have seen Garcia they are encouraged to call the Martin County Sheriff's Office at (432) 756-3336. Don't approach the vehicle or Garcia, since deputies consider him armed and dangerous.
