Gunshots fired in parking lot of church with funeral underway; no one hurt

A 26-year-old Pueblo man allegedly fired gunshots Thursday in the parking lot of a Catholic church where a funeral was underway.

The incident happened at about 10:20 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 1145 S. Aspen Road, according to a sheriff’s office news release. No one was injured.

Witnesses told investigators that a black Chrysler sedan was driven into the parking lot followed by an older-model white Ford Escape. People in both vehicles got into an argument, and shots were fired by someone inside the Escape. Both vehicles fled the parking lot in opposite directions on Aspen Road.

St. Joseph staff members placed the church and its office buildings on lockdown. The funeral service continued without further interruption.

About two hours after the incident, detectives located a black Chrysler at a home on Pueblo’s east side. People at the home were questioned.

Leonard “Lenny” Rodriguez is suspected of firing the gunshots from the Ford, the news release stated. He was found at about 3:10 p.m. in a parking lot at 1006 Bonforte Blvd. and was arrested without further incident.

Rodriguez was held on suspicion of two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of felony menacing and two counts of reckless endangerment. He also is suspected of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and possession of a controlled substance.

An investigation is ongoing.