Young Mother Killed in Drive-by Shooting

Los Angeles:  A 17-year-old mother of two was killed in a drive-by shooting yesterday evening, August 22, 2006, behind her residence at the Estrada Courts in East Los Angeles.

About 5:00 PM, Jacqueline Rodriguez was standing behind her home in the 1300 block of Glenfield Court when a dark car drove by and fired gunshots.  Detectives believe the intended target was a 17-year-old man, who was standing next to Rodriguez.

"Apparently, this guy saw it coming because he took cover as the gunfire erupted," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "The bullets hit Jacqueline, whose back was to the gunman."

Rodriguez died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.

The apparent, intended victim did not claim any gang affiliation, but he is refusing to cooperate with detectives.

Witnesses described seeing three men in a black compact car drive down Glen Court behind Rodriguez's home.  The gunman stuck a handgun out the rear passenger window and fired when the car came to a stop.

"Detectives are hoping someone will come forward with information in light of the especially tragic circumstances of this young mother's death," Vernon said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detectives Joe Precido or Lupe Ruiz at 323-526-3006.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Comments

[AM]

This is a great tragedy, but you have to ask if there was a bigger tragedy. What's a 17 year-old child doing with two kids? And is her association with this "young man" putting both her and her children in danger. Or was it jealousy over her moving on to her next baby's daddy? Saddly, we will never know. Sounds like a lifetime of bad choices putting her in the wrong place a the wrong time and lack of parental control. Why aren't the parents of these "kids" being held accountable for the behaviours that are put their children, and children's children in harms way? This is the true epidemic. But I'm sure they will have no problem blaming someone else for this.

[Algonquin J. Calhoun]

This girl/victim had a baby before she was even eligible to drive a motor vehicle.

Something's wrong in East LA.

I wonder if this 'victim' is a VNE associate.

East LA, the birthplace of the gang.

[Lt. De La Torre]

Mr. Calhoun, whether she was associated with a gang or not does not take away from the senseless criminal act. As for the birthplace of gangs your comment is very questionable.

[Algonquin J. Calhoun]

Mr. De La Torre, East LA is historically known as the birthplace of the modern LA gang "model".

Furthermore, it is also the birthplace of the Mexican Mafia. Check around with any of your gang experts.

As for the victim's association with a gang, it definitely doesn't take away from the criminal act, but it does explain it.

Like the old saying goes, if you sleep with dogs, you're bound to get fleas.

[ibuydrz]

I am appalled and shocked at the comments on this post! Your comments are very judgemental. So what if she had kids, so what if she had friends that were gang bangers she should not be DEAD! How dare some of you talk about the lifestyle or mistakes of another. Look in the mirror and ask yourselves if you have lived a flawless life? Remember, he who is without sin cast the first stone!

[George]

The issue is not the age or childre n envolved it's the taken of a human life... Your opinions on her back grounds shows your stupidity to deal w/ the real problems.... Let's not look at the victims and determine if they did this and did that it's there fault.. Someone pulled the trigger and killed this young Lady thats what need to be dealt with..

[ELM]

To AM, this 17 yr old girl's past choices werent the problem. Her having 2 kids at such a young age wasnt the problem either. I dont think it would have made a diffrence if she was 30 yrs old with 10 kids. The problem is that idiots like these gangmembers are still riding around shooting at people without regards to whos life they take. This young INNOCENT girls only mistake was that she was sitting infront of her house. It's sad that no matter where you are East LA or any where else you cant even play, sit or stand infront of your own home. And to MR Calhoun theres not just something wrong in East LA, theres something wrong in this society were idiots like these ride around shooting at innocent people.

[JAH]

Yes! Sir or Madam "AM", whether you believe or not,what happened to Mrs Rodriguez was a terrible tragedy and for her family too, but I'm sure that her family will move on with their life, GOD willing. But the real tragedy is having people like you in our community. You are stereotyping a dead young lady and her family. The real epidemic is you and people like yourself.

[J B]

I think we can all agree that this shooting is a tradegy. However, the victim did chose to associate with gang members which in turn placed her at risk. This does not negate her death or place her at fault. Many victims of violent crimes are victims because they chose to do things that place them at risk. Their choice can be a conscious choice (ie hanging out with gang members) or an unconscious one. (ie walking alone at night or leaving the car unlocked). Of course nobody deserves to be victim. Unfortunately, we live in a society where predators look for the people who make the bad choices either consciously or unconsciously. I believe crime would drop if people were more vigilant about the choices they make. Make yourself and your property a harder target and the predators will move on to easier pickings.

Additionally, somebody out there knows the shooter, possibly even the guy standing next to the victim. Somehow we have got to get these people to step forward and do the right thing. The police can not function without the support of the public.

[T]

There would be no debate over her age and the fact that she had children if it wasn't posted in the article. Who cares if she was a 17 year-old mother. The fact is a person was shot and killed due to gang violence. But I guess it sounds more significant of a crime if her gender, age and children are mentioned.

[a friend of hers]

how can all these people judge Jackie! i knew her and she had a rough life but for the last few months of her life she was happy. sure there were bad choices in her life but she didnt deserve to die! you cant judge her if you didnt know her just because we live in the Projects doesnt mean we are gang related.