Michael James Suazo, Injured Occupants Isaiah Thomas and Lilyana Rodriguez Identified as Victims in Fatal Pueblo Drive-By Shooting Near Highway 50; Search Intensifies for Suspect Vehicle, Red 2015 Ford Escape with Colorado Plates QST815
PUEBLO, COLORADO — The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office has officially released the identity of the young man fatally shot in a drive-by incident that occurred in the early evening hours of Sunday, April 6, 2025. The deceased has been identified as Michael James Suazo, a 19-year-old Pueblo resident described by family and friends as an “aspiring mechanic, loyal friend, and beloved older brother.” Suazo succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds sustained while seated inside a vehicle at the intersection of North Hudson Avenue and Highway 50, a bustling junction in the city’s north side.
Also present in the vehicle at the time of the shooting were Isaiah Thomas, 20, and Lilyana Rodriguez, 18, both of whom suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency responders treated them on the scene for superficial wounds and psychological trauma. Authorities have classified the incident as a homicide and are urgently seeking public assistance in locating the suspect vehicle — a red 2015 Ford Escape with Colorado license plate QST815.
The Incident: A Violent Sunday Afternoon
The shooting unfolded at approximately 5:04 p.m. on Sunday, during what was otherwise a quiet weekend afternoon in Pueblo. Multiple 911 calls flooded into the Pueblo Police Department’s dispatch center, reporting gunfire erupting near the 1900 block of North Hudson Avenue, just feet away from the heavily trafficked Highway 50 bypass. The area, characterized by both residential homes and local businesses, became the backdrop to what police now describe as a targeted attack.
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Michael Suazo slumped in the passenger seat of a blue Dodge Charger, bleeding heavily from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. According to the coroner’s preliminary autopsy findings, Suazo was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:17 p.m. despite efforts by first responders to revive him.
Inside the vehicle, police also discovered Thomas and Rodriguez, who sustained minor injuries from either shattered glass or grazing bullets. The vehicle itself showed signs of multiple bullet strikes, concentrated on the passenger side and front windshield — suggesting that the assailants fired while pulling alongside the victims’ vehicle.
Victim Profile: Remembering Michael James Suazo
Family members, gathered outside the Suazo home on the city’s west side, described Michael as a “quiet yet deeply thoughtful young man” who had recently completed a certification program in auto mechanics and was preparing to apply for an apprenticeship at a local garage. Suazo graduated from Central High School in 2023 and had no known criminal history.
“He was the kind of person who’d pull over to help someone with a flat tire — that’s just who Michael was,” said his cousin, Andrea Suazo, as tears streamed down her face. “He didn’t deserve this. None of them did.”
According to childhood friend David Morales, Suazo had spent the earlier part of Sunday working on a 1998 Honda Civic with friends — a hobby they all shared. “He texted me around 3:30 p.m. to say he’d just grabbed some food and was heading over to drop something off. That was the last time I ever heard from him.”
The Survivors: Isaiah Thomas and Lilyana Rodriguez
Although overshadowed in headlines by the fatality, the presence of two additional victims — identified as Isaiah Thomas and Lilyana Rodriguez — has added to the emotional gravity of the crime. Both survivors were seated in the rear of the vehicle and sustained injuries to the shoulder and hand, respectively. While these wounds were not deemed life-threatening, officials emphasized the psychological trauma endured by the survivors.
“They’re shaken up. Who wouldn’t be?” said Pueblo Police Department Detective Hector Herrera, who is leading the investigation. “They saw their friend die next to them. That kind of experience leaves a scar you can’t see.”
Rodriguez is a student at Pueblo Community College, majoring in nursing. In a brief written statement shared by her family, she described the shooting as “a nightmare that keeps replaying” and asked for privacy as she recovers. Thomas, a warehouse employee, reportedly provided police with key information about the direction and speed of the fleeing vehicle.
The Suspect Vehicle and Ongoing Manhunt
As of Tuesday, April 8, authorities had zeroed in on a red 2015 Ford Escape believed to be involved in the shooting. Surveillance footage obtained from a nearby gas station showed the SUV circling the area minutes before the incident and fleeing eastbound on Highway 50 immediately afterward. Investigators confirmed the vehicle’s license plate as Colorado tag QST815, and the public has been urged to report any sightings of the vehicle without approaching it.
“We consider the occupants of this vehicle armed and dangerous,” said Chief of Police Chris Noeller at a press conference. “We are working tirelessly to track down the individuals responsible, and we need the public’s help to do so safely.”
Anyone with information about the vehicle’s location or the individuals involved is asked to contact Detective Hector Herrera at (719) 601-7023, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (719) 542-STOP (7867).
Community in Mourning
News of Suazo’s death and the drive-by attack has sent shockwaves through the Pueblo community, particularly in the neighborhoods surrounding North Hudson Avenue. A candlelight vigil held Wednesday night near the site of the shooting drew over 300 residents, many of whom brought candles, flowers, and handwritten messages. The event was organized by Pueblo United for Peace, a local anti-violence group founded in 2020.
“We are not going to accept this as the new normal,” said community organizer Rayna Martinez, addressing the crowd. “We owe it to Michael, to Isaiah, to Lilyana, and to every young life stolen or shattered by senseless violence to demand better from ourselves and our leaders.”
Several elected officials, including Mayor Nick Gradisar and Councilwoman Regina Maestas, attended the vigil and spoke to grieving residents.
Patterns of Violence: A City on Edge
Though Pueblo remains a vibrant and resilient city, it has in recent years struggled with an uptick in youth-involved shootings and gang-related crimes, many of them tied to retaliatory violence or territorial disputes. While police have not officially linked Suazo’s death to any known gang activity, the nature of the shooting — its execution and brazenness — has raised concerns.
According to Pueblo Police Department data, there were 11 drive-by shootings in 2024, three of which were fatal. This year, Suazo’s death marks the second fatal drive-by shooting in just the first quarter of 2025.
“We are deeply concerned,” said Detective Herrera. “The level of violence we’re seeing, particularly involving teens and young adults, is rising — and we’re doing everything we can to curb it.”
The department has pledged to increase patrols in high-risk areas and collaborate with federal law enforcement on tracing the firearm used in the shooting, which has not yet been recovered.
Family Demands Justice
The Suazo family has vowed to pursue justice for Michael and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and support ongoing legal advocacy. As of Friday, the fundraiser had raised over $28,000, exceeding its original goal within 48 hours.
“We will not rest until those who did this are caught and face justice,” said Michael’s mother, Teresa Suazo, during a brief appearance outside the family home. Clutching a framed photo of her son, she added, “He had dreams, he had people who loved him. Whoever did this ripped that away from all of us.”
The family has retained legal counsel and is in contact with Victim Services coordinators from the Pueblo District Attorney’s Office.
Social Media Response and Viral Attention
As news of the shooting spread, #JusticeForMichael trended on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, where friends and strangers alike shared tributes, theories, and pleas for information. A 30-second video clip allegedly capturing the sound of the gunshots from a nearby residence has been viewed over 2 million times.
While police have not verified the video’s authenticity, it has helped galvanize community interest and increased pressure on law enforcement to swiftly apprehend those responsible.
Moving Forward
As Pueblo confronts yet another act of violence, city leaders and residents alike are grappling with what it will take to stem the tide of bloodshed. Conversations around gun control, mental health support, and youth outreach initiatives have been reignited.
“We can’t police our way out of this alone,” said Mayor Gradisar in a Thursday morning radio interview. “We need parents, educators, faith leaders, and the young people themselves to be part of the solution.”
For now, however, a grieving family and an
