On February 17, 2019, Widell Everett, a 22-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The incident occurred in the 1000 block of Northwest Fifth Avenue. Everett was forcibly led into an alley by two men, Ricardo Rodrigo Jr. and Arthur Washington III, who were both wearing GPS ankle monitors at the time of the crime. The assailants pushed Everett through a backyard fence, and shortly after, five shots were fired, resulting in Everett's death.
His body and five bullet casings were found between the building where Rodrigo and Washington lived and the back of a nearby apartment building.
The investigation into Everett's murder revealed that both suspects were being monitored by GPS devices, which placed them at the scene of the crime. The GPS data, which was highly accurate due to signals from an average of nine satellites, showed that Rodrigo and Washington were in the exact location where Everett was killed. This evidence was crucial in linking them to the murder. Additionally, anonymous tips and witness statements further implicated Rodrigo and Washington in the crime. One witness reported seeing the two men forcibly leading Everett into the alley just before the shooting.
Both Rodrigo and Washington were arrested and charged with premeditated murder. Rodrigo, 26, and Washington, 22, faced additional charges related to probation violations. Rodrigo was on probation for grand theft, while Washington was on probation for drug charges. The suspects were held without bond at Broward County's Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale. The case against them was strengthened by the GPS data and witness testimonies, which provided a clear timeline and location of their involvement in Everett's death.
The tragic death of Widell Everett highlights the importance of technological advancements in criminal investigations. The use of GPS monitoring devices played a pivotal role in solving the case and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The community of Fort Lauderdale was deeply affected by this senseless act of violence, and the arrests of Rodrigo and Washington provided some measure of closure for Everett's family and friends.
