Los Angeles: On Friday, January 23, 2004, at about 8:00 p.m., Van Nuys Area patrol officers responded to a shooting call in the 8100 block of Langdon Avenue. Upon arrival at the location, the officers found evidence of a shooting, but no victim(s). Shortly thereafter Luis Alfredo Rodriguez, 17 years of age, and a 16 year-old male Hispanic, both residents of North Hills, were brought by Rescue Ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital. They were suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. It was established that Rodriguez and Flores were the victims of the Langdon Avenue shooting.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the victims were passengers in a vehicle, which was shot at by male Hispanic suspects, as their vehicle traveled past the crime location. The 16 year-old juvenile was treated and released. Rodriguez, however, was put on life support and remained hospitalized.

On Monday, January 26, 2004, Rodriguez was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. The motive for the shooting is gang related. No witnesses to the crime have been found.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Van Nuys Homicide Detectives, at 818-756-8370. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Sandra Escalante, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.