Yesterday, Feb. 5, Jose Rodriguez, a 16-year-old Massachusetts resident charged as an adult, was found guilty of attempted 1st degree murder in Smyth County, VA.
That conviction stemmed from a July 2024 incident where Rodriguez attacked a gas station attendant with a fixed blade knife at the Chilhowie Exxon, noted Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Blevins.
After stabbing the employee, Rodriguez, who was 15 at the time and a runaway, went on the run with the intention of leaving the county, Chilhowie Police Chief Andrew K. Moss reported. But the teen was caught in Tennessee.
A Tennessee trooper saw a car swerving saw the driver had a cellphone in hand, explained Moss. When the trooper tried to make a traffic stop, the driver, which was Rodriguez, started a police chase but was caught and extradited back to Virginia, Moss stated.
“While our officers and those assisting our agency had developed and gathered strong leads and evidence in this case, the suspect being a juvenile and attempting to flee the country made an arrest very unlikely. If not for the outstanding work of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper, this arrest would not have been possible,” the sheriff added.
Blevins said it took multiple hearings to be able to try Rodriguez as an adult. A grand jury indicted him as an adult on December 10. Yesterday, he pled guilty to that charge. It was an “open plea” Blevins explained, noting that means there was no plea deal offered in this case.
“The senseless attack committed by Rodriguez not only inflicted profound suffering upon the victim but also sent shockwaves throughout Smyth County. While no legal outcome can erase the pain endured, today’s verdict serves as a crucial step toward justice and accountability,” said Blevins following the verdict.
Chilhowie PD also issued a statement thanking those involved in catching and prosecuting Rodriguez. “This senseless attack was horrific for the victim and shocking to the community we serve,” the department’s message stated.
Rodriguez is set to be sentenced by the Smyth County Circuit Court on May 20, 2025.
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