Investigation is active and ongoing

On Friday, October 16, 2026, at approximately 8 p.m., Garfield County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call at a residence in the Silt Mesa area.

Upon arrival, deputies located a deceased male who appeared to have sustained fatal stab wounds.

Information gathered during the initial investigation led deputies to identify a suspect, Andres Fabian Vega-Morales, who was subsequently taken into custody with the assistance of the Rifle Police Department. He is being charged with 18-3-102 (FEL) Murder in the first degree. The suspect was transported to the Garfield County Jail.

Investigators with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation and process evidence.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Based on information currently available, authorities believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no known ongoing threat to the community.