In the early morning hours of November 22, 2019, a distressing 911 call led Adams County deputies to a home in the vicinity of Thornton, Colorado, where they discovered the body of 36-year-old Michael Benito Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a male, had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Known affectionately as 'Benito,' 'Ben,' or 'Benny' to his loved ones, he was remembered as a goofy man with an infectious laugh who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need. He was a graduate of Thornton High School and a loving father to his son, Peyton.
The investigation into Rodriguez's death quickly centered on Alan Joseph Clifton, a 30-year-old from Longmont. Witnesses at the scene reported that Clifton and Rodriguez had been involved in an argument, allegedly over a stolen vehicle, which escalated into a physical scuffle just before the shooting. Following the incident, Clifton, who was identified as a member of the East Side Oldies street gang, fled the residence. He was already wanted on multiple outstanding felony warrants at the time.
Detectives launched a search for Clifton, and on December 5, 2019, he was located in Fort Lupton driving a stolen vehicle. When officers attempted to apprehend him, Clifton rammed a patrol car and initiated a high-speed chase that ended with him attempting to flee on foot. He was ultimately captured by deputies. Alan Joseph Clifton was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michael Benito Rodriguez, in addition to a slew of other charges including aggravated motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
