Rookie LAPD cop sought as 'person of interest' in Pomona murder

The Pomona Police Department has named a missing Los Angeles police officer as a “person of interest” in a Friday morning shooting that left a 23-year-old man dead.

Officer Henry Solis, 27, has not shown up to work since the murder occurred, according to the LAPD and Pomona police.

“Solis’ whereabouts is unknown and we have reason to believe that he knows that police are looking to talk to him,” Pomona police said in a statement. Detectives issued a flier with a picture of Solis.

The department received multiple 911 calls reporting gun shots in the area of Third Street and Main Street around 3:30 a.m. Friday. 

When they arrived, officers found Salome Rodriquez, Jr., 23, suffering from bullet wounds to the lower torso. Rodriquez, who is from nearby Ontario, later died at USC Medical Center.

“The preliminary investigation indicates the victim and suspect were engaged in a physical alternation prior to the shooting,” an earlier police statement said. “It is unknown if the suspect and the victim knew each other.”

Solis was off-duty at the time of the incident, according to LAPD Commander Andrew Smith. He said his agency is assisting Pomona authorities in the search for Solis.

“This is a probationary police officer assigned to the Devonshire area,” smith said. “He came into the department in June 2014. He’s been an unremarkable employee.”

Smith said the LAPD is “concerned about his well being…but more concerned that he is named as a person of interest in a homicide case.”

Solis is 5’ 9”, 185 pounds, according to the police statement. He drives a Silver or Gray 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, California License 7FAAS527. He lived in Pomona, according to the police statement.