Murder of coworker in Aibonito: defendant faces bail of $1.5 million
Jorge Luis Colón Rodríguez, 26, was charged with shooting dead Joel Enrique Santiago Moreno during a lunch break at a chicken processing company in Aibonito.
First-degree murder charges following shooting at Aibonito business
The Department of Justice filed charges on Saturday evening against Jorge Luis Colón Rodríguez, 26, for the shooting death of his coworker Joel Enrique Santiago Moreno, 44, according to telemundopr.com. The incident occurred on Friday at a chicken processing company in Aibonito, where Santiago Moreno had been employed for six months.
Prosecutor María L. Varas García, from the Aibonito Prosecutor's Office, filed three charges against the defendant: one count of first-degree murder and two violations of the Firearms Act—carrying, transporting or using a firearm without a licence, and firing and pointing a firearm.
Judge Sylvia Saldaña Villafañe, of the Aibonito Court, found probable cause on all charges and set a total bail of $1.5 million. Colón Rodríguez was unable to post bail and was remanded into custody. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for 1 June 2026.
According to the investigation conducted by the Puerto Rico Police, under officer Nancy Espada, and the Public Ministry, the defendant approached Santiago Moreno whilst the latter was enjoying his lunch period in the work area. Colón Rodríguez pointed a firearm at him and shot him in the upper left side of the chest.
Santiago Moreno was taken to Menonita Hospital in Aibonito, where he died. Secretary of Justice Lourdes L. Gómez Torres confirmed details of the case.
Source: Google News PR — Crime