Video: Mistaken-identity-murder victim Michael Delfin-Rodriguez’s family pleads for help finding his killer

(Also published on partner site White Center Now)

In the blue cap and gown is Michael Delfin-Rodriguez, celebrating his graduation from New Start High School in White Center, with his dad Sergio. Michael is the young man shot and killed the day before Thanksgiving, at 2nd SW and SW 108th, while he and his brother Saul were out for an early-early-morning walk to a store. This morning, members of Michael’s family were at the King County Sheriff’s Office headquarters downtown, meeting the media to make a public plea for help in finding his killer. Saul spoke for the family today:

As reported later that day (November 27th), investigators say it’s a case of mistaken identity – Michael and Saul were confronted by two people, believed to be teenage boys, who accused them of being members of a gang; they denied it, kept moving, then one of those boys pulled out a gun and fired, killing Michael. (added) Here’s King County TV video of the entire news conference:

If anyone saw anything or has heard any talk about it, there’s a Crime Stoppers reward in the case, and investigators are eager to hear from anyone with information that might help solve the murder. Crime Stoppers has multiple ways to report tips, including anonymously, or call KCSO at 206-296-3311.

10 Replies to "Video: Mistaken-identity-murder victim Michael Delfin-Rodriguez's family pleads for help finding his killer"

  • NW December 4, 2013 (3:42 pm)

    Someone out there knows about this shooting come forward and do his family that is suffering a horrific loss a service and bring justice to the shooter. Do the right thing and you help out this community too. Adelante

  • West Seattle Hipster December 4, 2013 (7:26 pm)

    Sad and tragic. Condolences to the family of the murder victim.

  • Eric1 December 4, 2013 (9:18 pm)

    If you know something, please call Crimestoppers. Don’t let gangsters intimidate us in OUR neighborhoods. Don’t be like other parts of the city where criminals get away with murder.
    .
    I am so tired of the don’t snitch BS. It only keeps you scared and the thugs in power.
    .
    Remember that the guys on the bus and the store owner rose up to the challenge and the thugs are in jail and the “victims” are the heroes. Show the thugs that we don’t take crap from criminals in WS.

  • Mike December 4, 2013 (11:16 pm)

    Sad to hear about the loss of Michael. I agree with Eric1, it’s time people stop fearing the thugs that try to mute those that know who did this. By not speaking out, you allow more people to be hurt and / or murdered. You can do it anonymously, your name does not need to be known. Putting this one murderer in jail will lead the authorities to others that are associated with this persons acts and prevent them from doing the same damage to more people as well. Help put an end to the trash that damage the community. I pay a lot in taxes for them to go watch cable TV in prison. Let them be the toy for a really scary inmate and then maybe they’ll have a clue as to what it’s like to be living in fear of thugs.

  • enviromaven December 5, 2013 (10:12 am)

    My heart goes out to the Delfin-Rodriquez family. Silence is the worst crime of all.

  • Ann December 5, 2013 (11:01 am)

    FYI New Start is not on the Evergreen campus. It is housed on its own at the old Salmon Creek Elementary building.

    Mike was an outstanding human being. Please keep your ears open, and send in even the smallest tip.

    • WSB December 5, 2013 (11:11 am)

      Thank you, Ann, sorry, all this time I thought it was one of the “small schools” comprising Evergreen. Fixing.

  • Det. Mike Mellis - KCSO December 5, 2013 (1:57 pm)

    Hello,
    Are you still planning to post the press conference video? If so, we’d like to link to it when reaching out to community members. Thank you.

    • WSB December 5, 2013 (2:10 pm)

      We have been waiting for word of when KCTV’s version is available – Dep. Akers told us they would record it too – when our crew got back, our recording card broke and the video we recorded was unavailable (our stills were from another camera and at least they came out). I had asked Dep. Akers earlier in the day if he would consider finding someone to record it for wider use by us and potentially other small news outlets over on this side of the bay, because I wasn’t sure we could get a crew downtown; he subsequently said King County TV had done so and that he’d let me know when that video was available, but I haven’t seen or heard it yet … assuming it’s still in the works, we want to add it to this story and the story on our site White Center Now … Tracy

  • Det. Mike Mellis - KCSO December 6, 2013 (3:59 pm)

    The video of the complete press conference has been posted on King County TV’s You Tube page. Here’s the link:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yoUxUxQwBE&feature=em-share_video_user

    Please share with friends, family, neighbors, and known gang members and thier associates.
    Thank you West Seattle Blog and White Center Now staff.

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