FERNDALE, Wash. — The Ferndale Police Department, with the assistance of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Marcelo Tate Rodriguez, age 18, near Sumas on March 25th and charged him with suspicion of 1st degree rendering criminal assistance.
According to a press release from the Ferndale Police Department today, Monday, March 29th, his arrest is associated with a fatal shooting incident on January 23rd outside a gathering in Ferndale.
Investigators discovered that Rodriguez and Miguel Miranda, who was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder in the January 23rd fatal shooting, are friends. Rodriguez told investigators he arrived at the party just after the shooting and left shortly after.
It is believed that Rodriguez helped coordinate Miranda’s escape from Washington. Records gained by investigators show several phone calls between Rodriguez and Miranda and that Miranda traveled to the area of Rodriguez’s residence in Lynden, WA immediately following the shooting. Additionally, information gathered indicated that Rodriguez then drove Miranda to Oregon, prior to him fleeing to Arizona where he was arrested days later.
Based on the fact that Rodriguez assisted Miranda by fleeing the state following a homicide, probable cause exists to charge him with Rendering Criminal Assistance 1st Degree.Ferndale Police Department press release (March 29, 2022)
As of March 29th, Rodriguez remained in custody pending being able to post a $250,000 bond and had a preliminary hearing on March 28th.