| For Immediate Release Case # 09NF2673 September 18, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
GANG MEMBER CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR STABBING RIVAL GANG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AT SONORA HIGH SCHOOL
FULLERTON – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed charges today against a gang member for attempting to murder and stabbing a high school student while on the campus of Sonora High School (SHS). Richard Robert Rodriguez, 17, La Habra, is being charged as an adult with one felony count of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, one felony count of street terrorism, and sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years to life in state prison. Rodriguez is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton. Time is to be determined.
On the morning of Sept. 8, 2009, Rodriguez is accused of walking onto the SHS campus in La Habra. The defendant, who is not a student at SHS, is accused of spotting the victim in a crowd of students and yelling out the victim’s gang name. The defendant is accused of following the victim down a flight of stairs to a lower commons area. He is accused of pushing and stabbing the victim twice, on the right side of the head and the left shoulder blade. He is accused of dropping the knife and fleeing the scene. A witness reported the incident to a teacher. The victim was transported the victim to the UCI Medical Center where he treated.
Deputy District Attorney Brett Brian of the Gang Unit is prosecuting this case.
###