by Wyoming Teen Sentenced in 2024 Grand Rapids Police Shootout
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Saul Rodriguez, a 19-year-old with ties to Wyoming, has been sentenced for his role in a dramatic 2024 shootout with Grand Rapids police. On Thursday, Rodriguez accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to two counts of assault with intent to murder and two firearms charges. As part of the deal, all other charges were dropped and his upcoming jury trial was canceled.
The violent encounter occurred just before 11:45 p.m. on March 2, 2024. Police had pulled over a vehicle on South Division Avenue. Rodriguez, who was sitting in the backseat, suddenly jumped out and fled the scene on foot.
Body camera footage later revealed the moment two officers gave chase into a nearby alley. According to Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom, although Rodriguez was not the driver, he had no legal right to run from the traffic stop.
Rodriguez fled between homes on Horton Avenue, where he brandished a semi-automatic handgun and fired multiple shots at pursuing officers. Both officers returned fire but were unharmed. Rodriguez escaped and remained on the run for three days until he was arrested on an unrelated warrant.
During the investigation, Rodriguez admitted to fleeing and told detectives he had fired a shot at the ground before dropping his weapon and continuing to run. However, one officer reported believing Rodriguez had fired between three and five shots at them during the chase.
Court records revealed that Rodriguez had posted a photo on social media of a tan Glock — the same kind of weapon used in the shootout. Investigators also found a chilling Snapchat message he sent to his brother, stating: “I’m gonna get attempt murder on a cop.”
His girlfriend confirmed to police that Rodriguez had shown up at her house hours after the shooting and confessed, saying he had “done something bad” and later admitted to firing at the officers.
Two other individuals in the car during the initial traffic stop were not charged in connection with the incident.
Rodriguez was sentenced to 34 months to 10 years in prison, with an additional two years for felony firearm possession.
His sentencing marks the close of a high-profile case that sparked concern in both Michigan and his home community in Wyoming.
