FBI Looking For Valentin Rodriguez, Who Is Now A Suspect In Connection With Wednesday’s Shooting In The Verde Valley

The FBI searching for 39-year-old Valentin Rodriguez, who is now a suspect in connection with the shooting of a Yavapai Apache Police officer Wednesday night in the Verde Valley. Rodriguez is a Hispanic male standing five-foot-nine inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes and weighs around 160 pounds. He may be a member of the Yavapai-Apache Tribe in Camp Verde. YCSO dispatchers were contacted at 7:45 p.m. by officers in the Verde Valley asking for sheriff’s assistance. Authorities say the shooting took place at the Tunli housing area near Cherry Creek and Highway 260 after an altercation with Rodriguez. Yavapai Apache Police say he exited his vehicle and opened fire at the officers and then fled on foot. One officer, Preston Brogdon, was shot and was flown to a Phoenix-area hospital for treatment. Yavapai Apache Police say Officer Brogdan is in critical, but stable condition. YCSO says he has several more surgeries ahead of him due to the shooting. The FBI has taken over the investigation and are working with local law enforcement to help find Rodriguez. Residents of the Verde Valley are asked to stay out of the area while officers are conducting the search. If anyone knows of Rodriguez’s whereabouts call the FBI Phoenix Office at (623) 466-1999. A reward of up to $15-thousand is being offered by Yavapai Silent Witness for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the shooting. The FBI added five-thousand dollars to the reward Friday afternoon. If anyone has any information regarding the shooting, or a suspect, call 1-800-932-3232 or submit a tip online at yavapaisw.com.