Early Friday morning, Lubbock Police found the body of 55-year-old Rudolfo Reina laying on the sidewalk near North Gary Avenue and Baylor Street.
Lubbock Police later arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with the murder of Reina. However, the teen’s mom, Latisha Watson said her son is innocent.
“My son was not aware at the time of what happened. His statement was he did not do that. He would not have done that he was very close to that man,” Watson said.
Watson said her son and Reina had a close relationship and would hang out. Gloria Reina, Reina’s sister, mirrored that statement and said her brother and the teen were close.
“He used to go over and mow his lawn twice a week,” Watson said.
The police reported stated that a neighbor told police that Reina, a neighbor and the teen were all hanging out earlier in the evening.
The police report also stated the teen told police he didn’t see Reina after midnight and did not know what happened.
“I feel like with the evidence a lot is going to come back,” Watson said.
The Police report stated they found dry blood on the front door of the teen’s home. They also found a large kitchen knife and broken meat clever in a dumpster in the area.
Watson said she will be hiring an attorney to defend her son.
