Efrain Rodriguez, a 32-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed on September 24, 2002, in a residential area of Paramount, California. The Los Angeles County coroner listed a gunshot wound as the cause of death and classified the death as a homicide.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department led an extensive investigation that initially struggled with few eyewitnesses and limited physical evidence. Investigators conducted numerous interviews and collected forensic evidence; those efforts eventually produced a suspect who was arrested and charged with murder and related offenses. Court proceedings followed, including testimony from witnesses and forensic experts and arguments from both sides.

The community was deeply affected by Rodriguez’s death, and his family continued to honor his memory. Anyone with information about the shooting or who knew Rodriguez is asked to come forward.