On February 5th, 2001, in the small community of Cashion, Arizona (part of the greater Avondale area in Maricopa County), twenty-year-old Benito Rodriguez was shot multiple times while in the street. He was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, where he succumbed to his injuries. More than two decades later, his killing remains unsolved.
Benito Rodriguez was born in Arizona and became a father at just sixteen years old. According to those who knew him, he dedicated himself to providing for his family as a young man. His daughter, Desiree Rodriguez, was only three years old at the time of his death.
Police responded to a shots-fired call on that February evening. Upon arrival, officers found Rodriguez lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Emergency responders treated him at the scene before transporting him to the hospital, but he did not survive.
Witnesses reported that the gunfire came from a red or maroon van, though details about the suspect or vehicle remain limited in public reports. No suspects have ever been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the case.
The murder occurred in a relatively quiet area, and while it received initial investigation, it eventually went cold as leads dried up.
The Avondale Police Department has jurisdiction over the investigation. The case has been highlighted in recent years through initiatives like Project: Cold Case and collaborations with Silent Witness, a local crime-solving organization that offers rewards for information.
Desiree has worked to bring renewed attention to her father’s case, including efforts to list it more prominently on public databases. She hopes that someone with information—perhaps a witness who hesitated to come forward at the time—will help solve it.
Benito Rodriguez’s murder is one of many unsolved gun violence cases in Arizona from the early 2000s. As of 2026, the investigation remains open.
Crime Immemorial 