HOUSTON — More information has emerged about the fatal shooting of Greg Rodriguez, a big-game hunting expert and host of TV’s “A Rifleman’s Journal.”
Rodriguez, 43, of Sugar Land, Texas, was shot and killed about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at a house in rural Whitefish, Mont., which he was visiting for his show, according to a statement released by local police to the Los Angeles Times.
“Rifleman’s Journal” on the Sportsman Channel has focused on Rodriguez’s specialty, big-game hunting in exotic locations all over the world, along with marksmanship tips to viewers.
Police said Rodriguez had just arrived in the Whitefish area in northwestern Montana near Flathead National Forest and was visiting a female friend who was staying with her mother. The Daily Inter Lake identified the woman as Lindsey Bengtson, 30.
The woman told police that Rodriguez was with her and her 2-year-old son at the house Saturday night when her husband, Wayne, 41, arrived, shot Rodriguez and “brutally beat” her.
The Missoulian reported that Wayne Bengston, who records show was a registered hunter, was armed with a .44-caliber revolver, pistol-whipped his wife and shot Rodriguez multiple times from about 3 feet away.
Wayne Bengtson fled with his infant son in his truck, left the child unharmed at a relative’s house and drove about 25 miles home to the Montana resort town of West Glacier, where officers later found him dead, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
The woman, who was treated and released from a local hospital after the shooting, works for a local firearms manufacturer, records show, met Rodriguez at a trade show and struck up a casual relationship, Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial told the Los Angeles Times.
Dial said Wayne Bengtson “was a jealous husband,” that there were “some indications” his wife and Rodriguez were involved, but that he could not comment on the pair’s relationship, referring questions to Bengtson’s wife, who could not be reached Monday.
Dial said no one has been charged in the shooting, which he called a “pretty clear-cut homicide-suicide, tragic for both families.”
Officials at the Sportsman Channel released a statement saying they were “deeply saddened” by Rodriguez’s “sudden untimely death.”
“He truly epitomized Sportsman Channel’s position of being a leader in the outdoors,” they said, noting that Rodriguez owned an outfitting business, Global Adventure Outfitters, and contributed to outdoor publications including Petersen’s Hunting, Guns & Ammo and Shooting Times.
“He was a well-known authority on big-game hunting,” they said, and received honors in January for “Best Instructional/Educational Program” at the Sportsman Choice Awards.
The statement said colleagues “will miss his thoughtfulness, candor and dedication to encourage a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all.”
Rodriguez’s supporters and fans have been posting condolences and airing their grief over his death on social media.
“Words cannot express everyone’s feelings as we mourn the loss of a friend to all, father and husband, hunter and conservationist. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” David Kelly, a spokesman for Safari Club International, posted on Rodriguez’s Facebook page, noting that Rodriguez served with distinction in the Tucson-based hunters’ group.
Rodriguez is survived by his wife, Lisa, and two children. In a statement to the Times, the family described Rodriguez as “a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and friend. … We love him and will miss him dearly.”
Funeral arrangements were pending, the family said.
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Today in History June 18
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Raw: Obama, Daughters Visit Trinity College
Raw: India Floods Wash Away Apartment Building
Obama: N. Ireland Blueprint for Global Conflicts
Raw: Obama in Northern Ireland for G-8 Summit
Raw: Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Visits Assange
Raw: Demonstrator Death Angers Turkey Protesters
Today in History for June 17th
Mandela Spends 9th Day in Hospital
Israel PM: Sanctions on Iran Should Increase
Today in History for June 16th
Today in History for June 15th
