Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Deadly Shooting by California School Safety Officer Brings $13M Settlement
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
April 5, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Long Beach Unified School District will pay $13 million to the family of an 18-year-old woman who was shot by a school safety officer as she sat in a car, their attorneys announced Tuesday.

The money settles a wrongful death lawsuit filed over the Sept. 27, 2021 killing of Manuela “Mona” Rodriguez.

“I personally don’t really care about the settlement. It’s not bringing back my sister,″ Rodriguez’s brother, Omar, said at a news conference. “I don’t want anybody else to go through this pain.″

Rodriguez, the mother of a 5-month-old son, was shot in the back of the head in a parking lot near Millikan High School in Long Beach. She was sitting in the passenger seat of a car that was driving away after Rodriguez had gotten into a fight with a 15-year-old girl, police have said.

Video posted online appeared to show the safety officer firing at least two shots as the car moved off next to him. At least one bullet pierced a window of the car.

Rodriguez was removed from life support several days later.

The officer, Eddie Gonzalez, was fired by the school district and charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Family attorneys said Gonzalez wasn’t in danger and the car was heading away from him when he fired. The lawsuit contended the district was negligent in hiring him and failed to properly train him.

“We shouldn’t be here today but they screwed it all up by hiring an unqualified future killer cop,” attorney Luis Carrillo said.

In a statement, the school district said it hadn’t seen or ratified a settlement agreement and couldn’t discuss details.

“Settlements like these include language that there is no admission of liability on the district’s part,” the district added. “However, we again share our sincerest condolences with everyone who was impacted by this terrible event.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

DON'T MISS

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

DON'T MISS

Touring a Tunnel That Leads Underneath a Hospital in Southern Gaza

DON'T MISS

Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say

DON'T MISS

Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds

DON'T MISS

Israel’s War of Choice With Iran Puts Trump in a Bind

DON'T MISS

Prather’s Oak Fire Active in Fresno County, 46% Contained

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Authorities Arrest Man in Dinuba Shooting

DON'T MISS

Fresno Murder Suspect Arrested in Madera County Following Shooting

UP NEXT

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

UP NEXT

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

UP NEXT

Touring a Tunnel That Leads Underneath a Hospital in Southern Gaza

UP NEXT

Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say

UP NEXT

Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds

UP NEXT

Israel’s War of Choice With Iran Puts Trump in a Bind

UP NEXT

Prather’s Oak Fire Active in Fresno County, 46% Contained

UP NEXT

Tulare County Authorities Arrest Man in Dinuba Shooting

UP NEXT

Fresno Murder Suspect Arrested in Madera County Following Shooting

UP NEXT

Millions of Americans Like Trump Better in Theory Than in Practice

Touring a Tunnel That Leads Underneath a Hospital in Southern Gaza

1 hour ago

Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say

1 hour ago

Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds

2 hours ago

Israel’s War of Choice With Iran Puts Trump in a Bind

2 hours ago

Prather’s Oak Fire Active in Fresno County, 46% Contained

2 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Arrest Man in Dinuba Shooting

2 hours ago

Fresno Murder Suspect Arrested in Madera County Following Shooting

2 hours ago

Millions of Americans Like Trump Better in Theory Than in Practice

2 hours ago

Tucker Carlson Says Trump ‘Complicit’ in Israel’s Attack on Iran

3 hours ago

Fresno Stabbing Leads to 7-Hour SWAT Standoff and Arrest, Suspect Identified

3 hours ago

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel struck Iran’s state-run television station Monday during a live broadcast, forcing a reporter to run off cam...

49 minutes ago

49 minutes ago

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

Smoke rises following what Iran says was an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
52 minutes ago

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

The crest of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File photo
1 hour ago

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

1 hour ago

Touring a Tunnel That Leads Underneath a Hospital in Southern Gaza

Flowers and hand-written messages sit at a memorial outside the Minnesota State Capitol in honor of Democratic state assemblywoman Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, after a gunman killed them, in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., June 15, 2025. (Reuters/Tim Evans)
1 hour ago

Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say

Spyware from U.S.-backed Israeli firm Paragon Solutions was used to target prominent European journalists’ phones, raising concerns about government surveillance and commercial spyware abuse. (Shutterstock)
2 hours ago

Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds

President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a military parade to commemorate the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday, on the day of his 79th birthday, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
2 hours ago

Israel’s War of Choice With Iran Puts Trump in a Bind

The Oak Fire near Morgan Canyon Road and Country Oak Lane in Prather remains active at 46% containment, burning 14 acres with 45 personnel working alongside multiple air tankers to strengthen containment lines. (CalFire)
2 hours ago

Prather’s Oak Fire Active in Fresno County, 46% Contained

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend