Gang-related murder charges were approved against Jose Rodriguez in the shooting death of Gino Kuelbs

Murder charges were approved against Jose Rodriguez in the shooting death of Gino Kuelbs, according to police. Rodriguez, of the 2800 block of South Quinn Street, is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing in Violence Court (Br. 66) at noon Monday.

Kuelbs, 20, of 3209 S. Carpenter St., died of a gunshot wound to the neck, according to a Saturday autopsy. He was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center at 5:34 a.m. Saturday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, which ruled his death a homicide.

Kuelbs and another person were shot in the 2800 block of Quinn Street about 4:50 a.m., according to police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli, who said officers responding to a call of an arson at the address found the shooting scene. Police said Rodriguez allegedly shot Kuelbs and another man after the two allegedly tried to set Rodriguez's car on fire outside Rodriguez's home. After 4 or 5 failed attempts because of a torrential downpour at the time, they began leaving but Rodriguez, a member of a rival gang, shot them both. Rodriguez initially told police he was defending himself and protecting his property, but police viewed pictures from an elaborate security system Rodriguez had set up. The footage showed him allegedly shooting and killing Kuelbs and wounding the other man, according to police. The other man, 30, was reported to be in good condition, police said.
Mirabelli confirmed the incident appeared to have been gang-related.