‘If they were locked up, they wouldn’t be out killing people,’ Pueblo Police reveal criminal backgrounds of homicide suspects

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- In 2021, Pueblo's homicide rate jumped from 14 in 2020 to 29 in 2021, a staggering 107% increase. The Pueblo Police Department tells KRDO they have suspects identified for 25 of the crimes, with three deceased and one without leads, the October murder of Rudy Baca.

"It's tragic for the family members of those people that have been murdered. It's tragic for our community," Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller said. Noeller told KRDO they are doing everything they can to prevent homicide in Pueblo.

Friday, Pueblo police provided information on the criminal backgrounds of the identified suspects. According to the data, the individuals charged with these crimes are largely repeat offenders or previous felons.

Below is a look at the data provided to KRDO:

• 13 of the suspects are known gang members.
• 2 are previously deported immigrants that have re-entered the country illegally.
• 9 suspects have 5 or more prior felony arrests.
• 2 suspects have 10 or more prior felony arrests.
• 1 suspect has 15 or more prior felony arrests.
• 3 suspects were out on some form of release like bond, parole, probation or early release
• 5 suspects had no prior arrest history.

"There are quite a few where if they were locked up, they would not be out killing people right now," Pueblo Police Sergeant Frank Ortega said.

Noeller echoed a similar sentiment. "If they are going to bond out of jail, if they are going to be released out of prison and back into the streets of Pueblo there is only so much we can do," Noeller said. "We are repeatedly arresting violent offenders who are carrying weapons and are using those weapons in offenses and putting them in jail when they happen."

The Police Chief has been outspoken about how repeat offenders are hurting their ability to protect the people of Pueblo.

"Homicide is one of the hardest crimes to prevent because it is usually an emotionally based assault or decision that is made based on a relationship that the two people have," Noeller said. "However, people are being released repeated on bond after they have committed violent crimes, or not punishing people after they violate their parole, those kinds of things are putting them in a position where they can commit more violent crime."

Noeller says they are doing proactive patrol, targeting drug abuses and gang violence in an effort to curb the homicide rate. He believes everyone in the criminal justice system is trying to do their best to stop violent crime.

He has an interest in finding solutions across the entire spectrum of the criminal justice system.