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SALT LAKE CITY — A Fort Duchesne man was found guilty of murder in connection with a 2018 shooting death.
On June 7, 2018, Julio Rodriguez, 24, was shot outside a home near Randlett on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The next day, Brandon Redfoot, 28, was arrested in connection with that shooting.
Friday, after a five-day trial, Redfoot was found guilty of murder within Indian Country, a second-degree felony. He was also found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon while within Indian Country; felony in possession of a firearm and ammunition; and two counts of discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Testimony at trial revealed Redfoot and Rodriguez physically fought each other outside a store in Randlett. They parted ways, driving separately, and then Redfoot told the driver of his vehicle to turn around and follow Rodriguez, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Utah.
The driver refused to turn around and Redfoot threatened him or her with a KelTec Sub-2000 9 mm folding rifle, per the district attorney's office. The affidavit continues, saying the driver complied, following Rodriguez to the outside of a home on the reservation, where Redfood fired at least 29 shots toward Rodriguez and others, hitting him in the back of the head and killing him.
Redfoot faces a maximum potential sentence of up to life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27.
