Man faces battery charge in Terreton shooting
The man shot in Terreton over the weekend is expected to recover from the gunshot wound, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
Police said Saturday’s incident was not a drive-by, as they originally told media. They said Samuel Rodriguez-Silva, 34, confronted the victim, Ramon Gonzalez-Vargas, 23, in his driveway.
Jefferson County Sheriff Blair Olsen said they knew each other, as both men were farm laborers who worked in the same area.
Rodriguez-Silva tried to get Gonzalez-Vargas into his vehicle, a 2002 Yukon. When Gonzalez-Vargas resisted, Olsen said, Rodriguez-Silva shot him. The bullet entered through the stomach and passed through the body.
Police did not give Rodriguez-Silva’s motive for wanting Gonzalez-Vargas to get into the SUV.
Rodriguez-Silva left the victim’s house in the vehicle, which was stopped by Jefferson and Madison County deputies on Highway 33, milepost 70, about 25 minutes later. Police found the gun, a .357 revolver, near the side of the road.
Gonzalez-Vargas was flown to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. His condition was upgraded from critical to serious on Monday morning.
Rodriguez-Silva is charged with battery with intent to commit a serious felony. More charges are pending.
