18-Year-Old Charged in Murder of Minnesota Landscaping Company Owner
Shakopee, MN (MinnesotaNow)- A Twin Cities teen has been charged in the murder of a Minnesota business owner.
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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Scott County Court.
The court document says the victim's body was discovered on the evening of October 4. The homicide is believed to have occurred the day before.
53-Year-Old Landscaping Business Owner Found Dead in Shakopee Park, 18-Year-Old Arrested and Charged
The victim, described in the court document as a 53-year-old man who owns a landscaping company, was located deceased in weeds about 30 feet off a trail at Wilkie Park in Shakopee.
He was dragged into the area he was discovered in. Officers found a pool of blood, four spent 9mm shell casings and a live 9mm round after searching the area, according to the complaint.
An autopsy determined the victim died from four gunshot wounds. His death was ruled homicide by multiple gunshot wounds, the court document says.
Suspect in Minnesota Landscaper's Murder Identified
Officers notified the victim’s sister of her brother’s death and learned that he may have been romantically involved with an 18-year-old employee, identified as Emilio Vallejo Ortiz, the complaint says.
Shakopee police found one of the victim’s vehicles parked a mile away from Vallejo Ortiz’s apartment in Brooklyn Center.
During an interview with police, Vallejo Ortiz confirmed being with the victim on October 3. Vallejo Ortiz said he went to the victim’s apartment to get paid, then the two of them went to Menards to get the victim a new lock for the door to the victim's apartment, which had been broken.
Vallejo Ortiz told police he had returned to his apartment by Saturday afternoon, however cell phone data and Menards surveillance footage indicated he was still with the victim into Saturday evening, the complaint says.
Cell Phone Data Conflicts with Minnesota Murder Suspect's Statement to Police
Cell phone data also indicated the victim and Vallejo Ortiz were in the area of the crime scene at the same time. Vallejo Ortiz’s phone data then shows him leaving the scene while the victim’s phone remained at the scene, according to the complaint.
The court document says Vallejo Ortiz denied being romantically involved with the victim and denied owning a gun.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Vallejo Ortiz’s phone and found internet searches for a Glock handgun that utilized ammunition that was found at the crime scene. There was also a message sent by the victim to another person that said “Get me a Glock, buddy," the complaint says.
Vallejo Ortiz is charged with a count of second-degree murder. He’s being held on $2 million conditional bail and is scheduled and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
