safety
North Texas capital murder suspect captured in Arizona after three‑month manhunt, authorities say
By Doug Myers at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· June 27, 2026
· 1 min read
A three‑month manhunt for a North Texas capital murder suspect ended Friday in Arizona, where authorities captured the man accused of a violent rampage that left one teen dead and another wounded.Diego Carlos Rodriguez, 18 Diego Carlos Rodriguez, 18, was arrested in Douglas, Arizona, at about 3 ...
Key takeaway Rodriguez allegedly fatally shot 18‑year‑old Kace Leatherwood and wounded Luis Velez, also 18, near County Road 103 in Kaufman County, authorities said.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The capture of Diego Carlos Rodriguez in Arizona brings a measure of relief to the Kaufman County community, where the violent rampage that left one teen dead and another wounded had left residents on edge. As the case moves forward, local residents will be watching to see how the prosecution unfolds, and whether justice will be served for the family of Kace Leatherwood. The fact that Rodriguez was able to evade capture for three months, ultimately being found in another state, raises questions about the effectiveness of the initial response and the resources dedicated to the manhunt. The involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Marshals Service, underscores the complexity and seriousness of the case. Now that Rodriguez is in custody, the community will be looking for answers about what led to the tragic events and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A three‑month manhunt for a North Texas capital murder suspect ended Friday in Arizona, where authorities captured the man accused of a violent rampage that left one teen dead and another wounded.Diego Carlos Rodriguez, 18 Diego Carlos Rodriguez, 18, was arrested in Douglas, Arizona, at about 3 ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Doug Myers at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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