Suspect allegedly mistook victim for another man
David Hendren, 38, was arrested on May 18 on suspicion of first-degree murder in the 2009 murder of Larry Fuller. (Provided by Colorado Bureau of Investigation)
In the early hours of January 1, 2009, Larry Fuller was found gunned down and dead in the streets of Ignacio, with investigators having little evidence to identify the suspect. I didn’t. Fuller exited the sidekick bar, but no one saw his assailant.
All details, including where, how many times and with what weapon Fuller was shot, were not released. And for years his family wondered who would kill the man who had been described as a good-natured, easy-going father.
Fuller’s stepdaughter, Monica Escalante, said the sentiment was “surreal” when investigators announced last month that an arrest had been made in a case that has been unsolved for nearly 15 years.
David Hendren, 38, was arrested on May 18 in Navajo Nation, Arizona, on suspicion of first-degree murder and extradited to La Plata County.
An arrest warrant affidavit written by Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent Brandon Ludwig contains much-needed details about Fuller’s death.
Fuller died from a single gunshot wound to the face. Investigators found spent 9mm rounds on the ground, but little other evidence.
The statement also contains a lengthy and obscure statement explaining Hendren’s motives for the alleged crimes. Most of the evidence against Hendren relies on statements by Phoenix resident Angel Garcia, who contacted authorities in 2013. Garcia, motivated by guilt and fear, told investigators that he was with Hendren at Ignacio the night Fuller was killed.
The two were together at a bar where Fuller was celebrating New Years with his family. They were accompanied by Hendren’s brother, Hostin Hendren, who had been arguing with another man at the bar.
Investigators later confirmed that Hostin Hendren had a fight with a man named Beau Watts, who resembled Fuller’s in appearance and hairstyle.
Larry Fuller was murdered on the streets of Ignacio in 2009. The case remained unsolved until May when law enforcement arrested David Hendren, 38. (Provided by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation)
Lisa Kohlbrenner
At Hendren’s request, Garcia drove along Goddard Street while Hendren pursued Fuller. Garcia didn’t know what was going on and watched as Hendren shot Fuller in the head at point-blank range. Hendren jumped into Garcia’s truck and the two left the scene.
According to Garcia’s statement to Ignacio police and CBI agents, Hendren threw a handgun from a moving vehicle into a snowbank. The affidavit contained no indication that investigators had found the alleged weapon.
Garcia chose Hendren from a police line-up during his first interview.
After Garcia came forward with the story in 2013, the affidavit read, “The case is closed again.” It does not include an account of the decade that passed before Hendren’s arrest.
Police Sergeant Ignacio Wes Cruz, who was the lead investigative agency in 2013, referred questions on the matter to the CBI. A CBI spokesperson declined to comment, citing the CBI’s policy not to comment on pending cases.
“If they had the information and didn’t pursue it, it would be kind of disappointing, to be honest,” said Chris Madril, Fuller’s son-in-law.
Her sister, Escalante, said she was simply grateful that she was finally arrested.
On February 3rd of this year, the CBI became the lead investigative agency. Agent Ludwig took over and began piecing together the evidence using interviews with multiple people at the Sidekick Bar on the night of Fuller’s death. Information from Fuller’s family and other law enforcement officers who attended the bar fight that night allowed Ludwig to frame the story.
Ludwig’s affidavit reads: “David Hendren is believed to have chased Fuller out of a bar, believing him to be the one who assaulted his brother Hostin.” “Hostin fought in a bar with Bo Watts, who shares the same physical characteristics as Fuller. David Hendren is believed to have killed Larry Fuller during a mistake.”
Ludwig also concluded that Garcia’s statement contained information that could only be known to those who were present on the night of Fuller’s murder, such as where and how many times Fuller was shot.
Hendren will be charged June 14 in the Sixth Judicial District Court.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
