G.I. police probe murder-suicide

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Hall County law enforcement agencies are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Grand Island on Monday morning.

In a statement, Hall County Attorney Mark Young said the names of the two people would not be released until families were notified. He also said a grand jury may be convened to investigate.

Nebraska law requires a grand jury investigation whenever someone dies in police custody or while being apprehended.

Neighbors and friends identified the two as Margarita Rodriguez, 43, and her estranged husband, Antony Rodriguez.

A woman who had lived with Margarita Rodriguez and Margarita's two children, ages 9 and 8, said Antony Rodriguez banged on the door about 5 a.m., demanding to be let in.

She said he eventually kicked in the door and shot Margarita in the leg. He then dragged her outside, where she broke free and ran across the street into an apartment building.

But, the woman said, Antony caught up with her and shot her again inside the building.

Glass was broken out of the apartment building door and part of the bloodstained carpet on the stairs was cut out Monday.

Antony Rodriguez is believed to have killed himself on Highway 281 in Grand Island after being pursued by police. Police had the road closed for hours Monday morning and afternoon.

Margarita Rodriguez had filed for divorce and was scheduled to appear in court Thursday, friend Marleny Hernandez said.

Friend Jenny Chirinos, who lived a block away, said Margarita also had three children who lived in Mexico. Her two children who were home at the time were asleep upstairs, she said.