Escondido Man Arrested for 20-Year-Old Woman's Death

A law enforcement source tells NBC San Diego Jeffery Steven McCreary, 42, shot a 20-Year-Old in what appears to be an unprovoked attack

An Escondido man was arrested Saturday in connection to the death of a 20-year-old woman whose body was found on the side of a road in San Marcos, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's deputies.
 
Deputies reported that 42-year-old Jeffery Steven McCreary was taken into custody in connection to the death of Morayma Rodriguez, whose body was found last Wednesday with multiple gunshot wounds in the 28300 block of Lawrence Welk Court .
 
A mountain biker reportedly discovered Rodriguez's body lying down off the side of the road wearing what looked like a hoodie and baggy clothes. Two days later, the Sheriff’s Department identified the body as Rodriguez , who went by Denise to family and friends. Deputies also confirmed they were investigating Rodriguez's death as a homicide.

New details about the series of events leading up to Rodriguez’s death emerged Saturday evening.  

A law enforcement source exclusively told NBC San Diego that McCreary and Rodriguez were riding inside a white Mercedes, in a secluded area north of Escondido, with a friend on Wednesday when McCreary pulled out a gun and shot her to death in what appears to be an unprovoked attack.
 
The law enforcement source added that the incident may have been caused by a drug fueled rage.
 
The law enforcement source said McCreary didn’t know Rodriguez well and that McCreary and the victim may have just met in the last week or so.
 
Sheriff deputies arrested McCreary at about 7:47 a.m. Saturday following a brief vehicle pursuit in the 1100 block of North Broadway by members of the Sheriff's office. McCreary reportedly sustained an abrasion to his forehead during the arrest which he declined medical treatment for.
 
After his arrest, McCreary was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on one count of murder, a Sheriff’s official said.
 
McCreary’s next door neighbor said his arrest has left her shocked.
 
"When you don't know the person, if somebody really killed someone, and if you don't know them, that's different, when it's your neighbor, it stays with you,” the woman said.
 
A close family friend of Rodriguez said in a phone interview that the victim’s family was still in pain.
 
In a written statement, Rodriguez's family refers to McCreary as a monster and that it was a relief to know the person responsible has been arrested.

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