Carlos Rodriguez, 17

March 1, 2010, 10:04 a.m.

Carlos Rodriguez, a 17-year-old Latino, was shot in the head on the corner of California Avenue and Duane Way in South Gate on Sunday, Feb. 21 and died the following day, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Rodriguez was driving with a group of friends shortly after 12:30 a.m. when a car pulled up and an assailant fired at them, said Det. Phil Guzman of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau. Rodriguez was driving the car at the time. After he was shot, Guzman said the vehicle crashed and, at that point, one of his passengers took over the car and drove Rodriguez to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.

Rodriguez was admitted and placed on life support. He was pronounced brain dead Feb. 22 at 3:40 p.m., Guzman said.

Another passenger in the car was also wounded in the shooting and was treated and released from a hospital, Guzman said.

On Feb. 24, authorities arrested Alfredo Escobedo, a 21-year-old Latino, in connection with the attack. Escobedo has been charged with one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of assault with a firearm. He was scheduled to be arraigned at the Downey Municipal Court on Feb. 26, however the case was continued to March 23, said a spokesman from the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

According to County Jail records, Escobedo is being held at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call the South Gate Police Department or Det. Guzman at (323) 890-5500.

--Sarah Ardalani

Share a memory or thought about Carlos Rodriguez

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

22 reader comments

Ma boy Blems a lot of people may have known him but nobody knew him like his family and all of us craziez did , we shared a lot of good times doing bad things together,i still remember all the shit we use to do I cant believe its been so long and ive lost so many good friends I remember we use to post up and drink some highlifes and just walk around tagging shit up or trying to fight we were all crazie,but even tho we did this things we were all good kids just acting up, ma boy Reaver and Krons hurted all of us alot but I think your passing was the most painful because you were the first one of all of us to leave that way,i still remember the last time we talked, you were talking shit cause we had gotten busted a couple of days before your bday, and you wanted us to be there to celebrate with you, I know me and you would always argue but I know you had love for me because we all loved eachother we had eachothers back and we were all just a bunch of kids taking over the world, I will never forget those who have passed me in my life but I will always remember in specially my CrazieeThreE Blems Reaver Kronika

— CrazieSkraps Aug. 6, 2014 at 11:38 a.m.

I remember Carlos, a student who attended SEA Charter High School in south Gate 2009 , as a sweet,respectful boy. I never imagined that the young man who was so full of life would be taken from all of us so unexpectedly. when i arrived to school on Monday and was told carlos had been shot and is in the hospital on life support i could not understand why someone would do this. the next day we got the news he had been taken off life support and he was gone a life taken from those who loved him so much. my heart aches to see his classmates in agony of losing such a special friend who meant alot to them they are now left with questions such as "WHY, WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE CARLOS." why did it have to be carlos? today he was laid to rest 3-5-2010 he is now in peace however as a counselor I am disturbed at the fact that I have the Homicide Blog bookmarked on my computer, as a way to connect with my students and their families who find their tragedies chronicled here-almost like a yearbook.
Rest in Peace Carlos Rodriguez. I can still see your big smile shining in Mrs. E health class. you are truly missed

— tammy March 5, 2010 at 4:31 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Carlos Rodriguez, 17

Share a memory or thought about Carlos Rodriguez

22 reader comments