Fired School Safety Officer Faces Murder Charge

  • By Matt Jones
  • October 28, 2021

A school safety officer in Long Beach, Calif., who was fired last month after fatally shooting an 18-year-old mother has been charged with murder, said the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office on Wednesday.

Former school safety officer Eddie F. Gonzalez was fired a day after the incident that left Manuela “Mona” Rodriguez braindead. The Long Beach Police Department determined Gonzalez fired a bullet that struck Rodriguez’s upper body as she and two friends were driving away from an off-campus parking lot. Gonzalez had stopped after witnessing a fight in the parking lot between Rodriguez and another teenager. Rodriguez was taken off life support and passed away on Oct. 5.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Oct. 27, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced a charge of one count of murder.

“We must hold accountable the people we have placed in positions of trust to protect us,” he said. “That is especially true for the armed personnel we traditionally have relied upon to guard our children on their way to and from and at school.”

During his termination, the district determined that Gonzalez had violated policy preventing officers from firing at a fleeing person, a moving vehicle or through a window unless the action is justified as a “final means of defense,” according to news sources.

“This is the beginning of justice for Mona, her mother and the entire Rodriguez family,” said Luis Carillo, a lawyer representing the Rodriguez family, in a statement. “But it took too long to arrest the man who unjustly killed Mona Rodriguez.”

The district attorney’s office said that Gonzalez’s arraignment is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 29.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers