Andy Rodriguez, 19, has been identified and charged with assault with a firearm after officials said he opened fire near a World Cup viewing party in Los Angeles’ Koreatown last week, leaving a man injured. Rodriguez remains jailed on a $1.1-million bond and i
The night was supposed to be about a match. In Koreatown, hundreds gathered near Seoul International Park to watch Mexico play South Korea on June 18, and police say it was only minutes before 7 p.m. when the sound cut through the crowd—three gunshots, witnesses later reported hearing.
Now, a 19-year-old man accused in the chaos has been identified and criminally charged.
Andy Rodriguez is facing one felony count of assault with a firearm on a person. along with two special allegations tied to his alleged use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and causing great bodily injury. according to court records. Rodriguez remains jailed on a $1.1-million bond, and records show he is scheduled to be arraigned June 30.
The Los Angeles Police Department said Rodriguez was arrested several minutes before 7 p.m. on June 18 after officers responded to a report of a shooting at the intersection of Normandie Avenue and James M. Wood Boulevard in Koreatown. Officers arrived to find one man shot in the leg who required a tourniquet. Kitty-corner from that victim, a small crowd detained the suspected gunman.
The shooting happened near Seoul International Park, where the World Cup watch party was taking place as the match played out that evening. A Times reporter in the area said they heard three gunshots and saw a man in brown pants firing into the air.
A video taken at the scene shows one man lying on the ground with his leg bleeding and wrapped with a green garment as a tourniquet. Others help him as a nearby officer carrying a rifle stands guard over a second man on the ground. also described as wearing brown pants and a black shirt. In the footage, the officer yells, “Do not reach for anything,” and asks people where the gun is. “We don’t know,” a woman yells back. When the officer asks where the victim is, several people respond, “Over there.”.
This week. Oswaldo Romero—who identified himself as the son of the shooting victim—created a GoFundMe page to raise money for his father’s medical bills and other living expenses. Romero said his father. whom he identified as Luis Romero. was shot after he confronted the armed man in an effort to keep others from being hurt.
Romero said his father was shot in the thigh and suffered damage to an artery. He wrote that anyone who knows Luis Romero understands he is “a devoted father and proud grandpa. a hardworking provider. a passionate soccer fan. and a man who has always put others before himself. ” adding that Luis “has spent his life working hard to support his family and never hesitates to help those in need. Now, he is the one who needs help.”.
As Rodriguez prepares for his arraignment, the case continues to crystallize around one question that residents and those at the scene are left to live with: how quickly a crowded sports night turned into gunfire—and what it will take for the injured man and his family to recover from the aftermath.
Koreatown Los Angeles World Cup watch party Andy Rodriguez assault with a firearm Luis Romero GoFundMe Los Angeles Police Department
Koreatown can’t catch a break, smh.
Wait so he shot into the air “into the crowd”?? Like how does that not become attempted murder automatically. Also why is there a $1.1 million bond for a 19 year old, seems insane.
I heard it was probably some jealous fan stuff during the Mexico game, like they were mad Mexico lost or whatever. But then they say he fired and a guy got hit in the leg?? Doesn’t add up to me.
So they’re charging him with assault with a firearm and “special allegations” like great bodily injury… but it was only a leg? People always say “it was just minutes” and “crowd went chaotic” like that means it’s not serious. Also why was the watch party so close to where he allegedly was detained, like couldn’t someone just stop him sooner? Sounds like everybody was just standing there filming.