This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Popular High School Soccer Player Shot and Killed in Winnetka
Photo by via stevendepolo Flickr
Less than an hour after being dropped off from a high school soccer game, popular El Camino Real player Francisco Javier Rodriguez Jr., 17, was shot to death outside his home in Winnetka.
Police were called to the 6900 block of Cozycroft Avenue at about 6:10 p.m. last night, according to a statement released by the LAPD. Rodriguez was found on the front lawn unconscious and not breathing, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.
According to City News Service, officials believe that the attack was deliberate.
"This was not a random shooting," said LAPD Detective David Peteque. "This was definitely targeted toward a specific individual."
A witness who spoke to Rodriguez after the shooting, telling the boy to "hold on," reports that a teenage girl came to Rodriguez' front door and got him out of the house.
"...he came out, he wasn't even wearing shoes, he was wearing socks," said neighbor Jose Meza. "He must've went up to the car, they shot him, and he turned around and took steps toward his house, and he landed right on this front yard.''
At first, investigators thought that the girl pulled the trigger, but according to the LA Times, officials are backing off of that theory.
Sponsored message
No suspects have been detained yet, and police don't know what might have motivated someone to shoot Rodriguez. Meanwhile, a Facebook page has been set up for him in memorium, and his father, who was in Mexico at the time of his son's death, is flying back to California.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
