Rafael Avila-Rodriguez, a 67-year-old owner of the Dona Sole Comida Mexicana food truck in Modesto, California, was shot and killed in the face on February 16, 2021 while working near Monterey Avenue. A 13-year-old boy approached the truck and fired the fatal shot; the boy fled but was arrested shortly after midnight on February 17, 2021.

A juvenile petition alleged first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm enhancement. At a jurisdictional hearing on April 14, 2022, Judge Ruben Villalobos found the defendant guilty, noting the youth’s flight, concealment of the gun, and efforts to evade police as evidence the act was wrongful. The judge expressed doubt that the shooting was a planned robbery, observing video that showed only seven seconds between the approach and the shot.

Does anyone have memories of Rafael, the taco truck, or information that could shed light on that afternoon?