Vanessa Elizabeth Rodriguez was 25 when she was killed in a gang-related shooting on March 16, 2016, in Santa Ana, California. The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. inside a single-car garage converted into living space in the west alley of the 700 block of North Lacy Street, behind a Catholic church. At least two suspects walked up, opened the garage door and fired multiple rounds. Vanessa was struck and later died at Orange County Global Medical Center. Two men who were with her were injured and survived but were uncooperative with police.

Authorities treated Vanessa as an innocent bystander; one of the other victims was believed to be the intended target because of gang ties. The case produced numerous shell casings but no immediate leads, and investigators noted the city was experiencing a surge in gang shootings that year. Vanessa’s family remembered her as happy, caring and big-hearted; her funeral was March 30, 2016, at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary in Santa Ana.

If anyone was in the area of North Lacy Street on the night of March 16, 2016, or has information about the shooting, please share what is known.