Family Asks Help in Pico-Aliso Slaying

The family of a man slain in the Pico-Aliso neighborhood called for help from the community to find his killers.

Jesus (Chuy) Rodriguez, 30, was at 4th and Clarence streets to visit cousins who live in the projects when he was shot by robbers April 2. Rodriguez, an unemployed machinist, was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he died, said Police Detective Luis Corona.

Although no suspects have been identified, Rodriguez’s family said members of a notorious local gang are believed to be responsible for the shooting, which occurred while Rodriguez was in his car.

In a eulogy at St. Alphonse Catholic Church last week, Javier Rodriguez H. said his son’s killers and others like them have been allowed to terrorize the community. He blamed business, education and political leaders for neglecting the problems of the working-class and poor and for the violence plaguing many neighborhoods.

“Our family understands that the conditions of poverty created by those that rule this country are the ones that are breeding gangs and all the ills of our society, but we also know that these gangs are parasitic. They have our community in terror, in fear,” he said.

“Our family wants justice, his wife wants justice, his mother wants justice. We are not going to be intimidated by this gang, which is considered the most ruthless gang in the Pico Gardens and Aliso Village housing complex.”

Family and friends said the younger Rodriguez, whose father and uncles grew up in the housing project, had just bought a townhome in Montebello. He is also survived by four children, the youngest a 2-month-old boy.

“We have heard that they were celebrating the robbery and murder. They gave themselves high-fives at the scene of the crime,” Javier Rodriguez H. said. “Make no mistake, the culture of death is here and thriving in our communities.” Family members said they have received anonymous threats in the wake of the killing.

A memorial fund for the children of Jesus Rodriguez is being established through the law firm of Rodriguez & Rodriguez, at (213) 726-9225.

Phone tips to Detective Corona: (213) 526-3000