Guest Linked to Retiree’s Slaying
A house guest of retired San Diego Fire Department Capt. Richard Field, who was found bludgeoned to death in his National City home a week ago, was arrested Friday night in the case.
Jose Isabel Rodriguez, 26, who was living with Field and his wife in the 2500 block of K Avenue, was found shot in the abdomen the night of the slaying. Rodriguez told police then that two men broke into the house and ransacked it before killing Field and shooting him, National City Police Officer Brian Monahan said.
A police investigation concluded that Rodriguez’s wound was self-inflicted and that he is responsible for Field’s death, Monahan said.
“Based on the evidence collected and statements made by Rodriguez, our investigation determined he was the one who caused Field’s death,” Monahan said.
Field had served as a San Diego firefighter for 25 years before retiring in 1976 because of a heart ailment.
Rodriguez was being held at County Jail on one count of suspicion of murder, Monahan said. No bail was set.
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