SAN FERNANDO (CNS) — A Panorama City man has been charged with killing his wife with a machete and then forcing his way into his neighbors’ apartment, where he allegedly attacked a couple and their teenage son.
David Ernesto Rodriguez, 36, was charged on Tuesday, June 25, with one count each of murder, attempted murder and first-degree burglary with a person present, along with two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon and mayhem involving the alleged attacks.
The charges include allegations that he used a deadly weapon — the machete — and caused great bodily injury.
On Sarturday, June 22, Rodriguez allegedly chased his wife, Karla, out of their apartment on Roscoe Boulevard near Kester Avenue during an argument on and killed the 32-year-old woman with a machete, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
He then allegedly forced entry into his neighbors’ apartment and attacked the husband and wife, along with their 17-year-old son when he tried to intervene, according to prosecutors. The father suffered serious eye, nose and arm injuries from the machete, while the mother’s head was cut and their son’s hand was seriously injured, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Rodriguez was arrested early Saturday morning by Los Angeles police, and has remained behind bars since then.
He could face up to 40 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.