Pueblo police: Security camera caught men who cornered, killed victim early Saturday

The fatal shooting of 38-year-old Joseph Vigil early Saturday morning was captured on security camera footage, according to a Pueblo police arrest affidavit.

Police claim that surveillance footage of the parking lot of the Sonic Drive-In in the 400 block of North Santa Fe Avenue showed the suspect, Pablo Carrillo, and an unnamed passenger corner, shoot and kill Vigil.

Carrillo, 37, was holding a party Friday night in an area bar, according to witness statements to police. About 15 minutes prior to the shooting, one witness said she was told that Carrillo, who she knows by the nickname "Firmoso," was running up the street, yelling and screaming.

The witness, according to the affidavit, said she found Carrillo on Santa Fe Avenue walking north. She claimed Carrillo told her that someone had assaulted him, but did not directly say who. The woman told police she gave Carrillo a ride back to the bar, according to the affidavit, where the witness said Carrillo met some friends outside and was gone when she came back out of the bar.

A short time later, the witness said she heard gunshots in an alley and found Vigil's body lying on the sidewalk on North Santa Fe Avenue.

Police claim in the affidavit the witness correctly identified Carrillo as the man she'd picked up earlier.

Security camera footage collected by police from the Sonic Drive-In showed a man who appeared to be Vigil chasing another man about 12:10 a.m. One minute later, Vigil appeared to briefly interact with another vehicle before walking north.

At 12:16 a.m., two vehicles, a white SUV and a dark-colored 2007 Chevrolet Truck, which police say is registered to Carrillo, are seen entering the Sonic parking lot and circling around the building. The vehicles briefly disappear from the camera's view before reappearing going northbound on Santa Fe Avenue, according to the affidavit.

Just before the truck left the camera's view, two flashes of light, which police said resembled muzzle flashes, could be seen from the driver's side window. Approximately 18 gunshots can be heard on the footage, according to the affidavit.

The white SUV then began to slow down and pull over but did not completely stop before moving outside the camera's view.

A few seconds later, Vigil could be seen running southbound along the sidewalk. When he reached a large pole at the Sonic Drive-in, he could be seen lifting his right arm in the air, revealing a "darkly discolored" shirt, according to the affidavit.

The truck pursued as Vigil walked past the pole, causing Vigil to run back to the pole in an attempt to seek cover. According to the affidavit, a voice can be heard on the security footage saying, "What's up, homie?" followed by a gunshot, and then someone saying, "You'd better run for your life."

The truck then entered the parking lot, and police said Vigil attempted to flee toward the street, but the truck turned around, causing him to run back to the pole. Police claim the truck then stopped in front of the security camera, showing its license plate and occupants clearly, according to the affidavit.

The passenger of the truck, who has not yet been identified by police, then exited the truck and started walking around the west side of the pole. Vigil then walked around the east side of the pole, but the passenger hurried around to cut him off.

Carrillo, whom the author of the affidavit, Pueblo Detective Joseph Cardona, said he knows from previous experience, then got out of the driver's seat and walked toward the tailgate.

The passenger then raised an object that police said appeared to be a gun. Muzzle flashes and what sounded like gunshots could be heard on the footage and Vigil then fell to the ground. Police officers arrived shortly afterward and found Vigil with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and stomach.

Despite life-saving efforts, Vigil died at the scene.

Carrillo was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder Saturday afternoon in the 2000 block of Ronzani Avenue in Pueblo County. Carrillo declined to speak to police without an attorney present. He was booked into the Pueblo County Detention Center where he is being held on a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

His first appearance in court is slated for Thursday, March 9, in the court of 10th Judicial District Judge William Alexander.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo police: Security camera caught men who killed victim Saturday