PRESS CONFERENCE: Police Chief Details Arrest in Northside Rec. Center Murder

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith said Friday that officers arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Isaiah Bailon within eight hours of the gunfire at the Northside Recreation Center. 

The shooting occurred at about 5:24 p.m. Thursday at the center, located at 2722 North Magdalen. Officers found Bailon suffering from apparent gunshot wounds near the building. He died at the scene. 

Griffith identified the suspect as Matthew Rodriguez, 17, also of San Angelo. Rodriguez faces a murder charge and is held in the Tom Green County Jail on a $1 million bond. 

The chief said the shooting stemmed from a firearm transaction between the victim and suspect that “did not go according to plan.”

Griffith encouraged residents to use the department’s clearly marked safe transaction zone in front of police stations for online purchases instead of meeting in parks or other public places.

“We pretty much put every division that could possibly be involved in this,” Griffith said, praising the Criminal Investigations Division, Gang Unit, Special Operations, Narcotics, K9, Drone Team and Crime Scene units for their swift work. 

The chief asked the community to pray for Bailon’s family and loved ones and urged adults to have “hard conversations” with young people about consequences and avoiding dangerous situations.

“Disputes, online purchases, anything that you might be doing is not worth your life,” Griffith said. 

All details released remain subject to change as the investigation continues, he noted.