UPDATE: Mona Rodriguez Death to be Investigated as Homicide by LBPD

Yesterday, Oct. 6, 2021, Manuela “Mona” Rodriguez, who was struck in the upper body in a shooting incident on Sep. 27, 2021, succumbed to her injuries. In light of this news, detectives are now investigating this matter as a homicide.

On Sep. 27, 2021, at approximately 3:12 p.m., Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers responded to the area of Spring Street and Palo Verde Avenue regarding a hit shooting.

Upon arrival, officers determined a Long Beach Unified School District school safety officer had discharged their firearm, striking Rodriguez in the upper body. Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and transported her to a local hospital where she was initially listed in critical condition.

LBPD Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and investigated the incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office also responded to the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the school safety officer was driving when he observed a physical altercation between an adult female (Rodriguez) and a 15-year-old female juvenile victim occurring in the street. Investigators have determined a 20-year-old male adult and a 16-year-old male juvenile were also involved; however, their participation level remains under investigation.

When the male adult, the male juvenile, and Rodriguez attempted to flee in a 4-door gray sedan, the school safety officer approached the vehicle to prevent them from fleeing and discharged his firearm. Rodriguez was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle and was struck by gunfire.

At the time of the incident, the school security officer was employed by the Long Beach Unified School District and was not employed nor affiliated with the Long Beach Police Department nor the City of Long Beach.

The LBPD is conducting a criminal investigation of this incident and is sharing this information with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their independent review.

Homicide detectives are in regular communication with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and are providing evidence from the ongoing investigation to them for filing consideration.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Jose Rodriguez at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.