On October 15, 2023, at approximately 1:15 a.m., officers from the Winston-Salem Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the 800 block of East Devonshire Street. Upon arrival, they discovered 25-year-old Jassy Vargas Salinas, a resident of Germanton, North Carolina, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and emergency medical personnel, Salinas was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation quickly identified two suspects: 29-year-old Daniel Vega and 32-year-old Joaquin Rodriguez Jr. On October 17, 2023, both men were apprehended without incident by the Winston-Salem Police Department, with assistance from the SWAT team and the U.S. Marshals Service. They were each charged with felony murder, felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony possession of a firearm by a felon. Both suspects were held without bond pending their initial court appearances.
This incident marked the 39th homicide in Winston-Salem for the year 2023, reflecting a significant increase compared to 28 homicides during the same period in 2022. The tragic death of Jassy Vargas Salinas underscores the ongoing challenges of addressing violent crime within the community.
As the legal proceedings against Vega and Rodriguez Jr. continue, the community remains vigilant, seeking justice for Salinas and striving for solutions to curb the rising trend of violence in the area. The Winston-Salem Police Department continues to encourage residents to come forward with any information that may assist in ongoing investigations, emphasizing the collective responsibility in enhancing public safety.
