The suspected shooter of competitive cheerleaders in Elgin has been arrested

For Payton Washington and Heather Roth, the Elgin H-E-B carpool lot is a main feature of their lives as competitive cheerleaders who travel 360 miles round trip to practice three times a week in Oak Ridge.

Late on Tuesday, as Roth stepped out of Washington’s car to head to her own, she opened the door of what she believed to be her vehicle to find a man in the passenger seat. Frightened, Roth returned to her friend’s car. The man approached Washington’s car and began to shoot at the two young women, leaving Washington with serious injuries. Roth managed to walk away from the shooting with superficial wounds that could be treated at the scene. Teammates and fans of the athletes have been showing their support online.

An arrest has been made

Authorities have announced that an arrest has been made, thanks to witness testimony and footage of the incident that was captured on a nearby camera. The suspect’s name is Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr., 25, and ABC13 has reported that he has been charged with deadly conduct and that other charges could follow.

Payton Washington remains in critical condition

Washington and Roth were in the car with two other team members who were not injured during the attack. Washington suffered the most severe injuries and remained in critical condition after being hit in the leg and back. Already the eighteen-year-old has had her spleen removed, and other surgeries are scheduled for later this week. Washington’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help them cover her medical bills; already more than $65,000 have been donated.