All five victims of a late-night mass shooting on May 25 on the 900 block of North Orange Grove Avenue in San Fernando are in stable condition, and the suspected shooter, Martin Rodriguez, 61, remains in custody, with the original $9.8 million bail amount modified to no bail.
Residents who live in the neighborhood spoke to the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol, but were reluctant to discuss the incident at length and declined to provide their names.
While a motive for the man who seemingly targeted party guests at a home on the 900 block of Orange Grove Avenue has not been reported, neighbors described the people who had the party as “newer residents,” “nice” and “very friendly.”
San Fernando Police Detective Sgt. Pete Aguirre said he could not comment on a motive or provide additional details as the investigation was ongoing.
“We heard shooting, but there was no screaming – that was around 11-something. I think people were probably in shock or maybe [the victims] didn’t realize they were shot right away,” said one neighbor, who was home watching television with her daughter when the shooting began. “Then the shooting continued, and we heard the screaming start after the fifth or sixth shot.
“We thought it was fireworks at first because they sometimes set off fireworks around here,” she added. “We were so shocked and so scared when we realized what was really happening.”
Rodriguez, who resides on the 1900 block of Warren Street, opened fire near Warren Street and Orange Grove Avenue, said Aguirre.
Rodriguez shot at a police helicopter and barricaded himself in his nearby home following the shooting rampage. Several police agencies assisted SFPD, including Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, LAPD and LA County sheriffs.
Two hours after the initial shooting, SFPD apprehended and arrested Rodriguez on the front porch of his house after using a “less lethal” 40mm projectile launcher – which shoots foam rubber baton rounds – to subdue him, said Aguirre.
Residents who spoke to the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol said they hadn’t seen or heard of Rodriguez before seeing his name and face on news reports.
“I guess he went to that house and started shooting for whatever reasons – I just don’t know why,” the neighbor continued. “I mean, who does that – walks right up with a gun and just shoots? I couldn’t believe it when I found out he lives around the corner on [Warren Street].”
A second area resident described the shooting as “pretty bad, especially for a quiet neighborhood like this.”
A third neighbor described the violent incident as the “worst thing that ever happened in this community.”
“I don’t know exactly what happened, but nothing like this has ever occurred before during all the years I’ve been here,” she said, noting that she has lived in the same house for more than 40 years. “I’ve always felt so comfortable here.”
The first neighbor, who has lived in the area for more than 25 years, shared similar thoughts.
“We couldn’t believe it, because we don’t have that kind of [violent] activity around here,” she said. “We did have a couple of break-ins recently, but besides that, this was the worst thing since I’ve been living here. I’ve always felt safe here. Everybody knows each other on this block.”
Rodriguez, who is in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Downtown LA, has been charged with two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and vehicle, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm against a peace officer and seven counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
His next court appearance is scheduled for June 6.