LOS ANGELES—Laquisha Jones, 30, was charged on Thursday, July 12, with attempted murder and elder abuse of 92-year-old Rodolfo Rodriguez. Detectives assigned to Century Station arrested Jones on Tuesday, July 10 at 10:00 p.m., near 60th Street and Crenshaw Avenue in Los Angeles.
According to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Jones was indicted on 2 counts each of attempted murder and elder abuse, and infliction of injury. The felony complaint includes special allegations that Jones used a brick as a deadly and dangerous weapon in the attack. Deputy District Attorney Dunnick of the Victim Impact Program has been assigned to the case. Prosecutors asked that bail be set at $1.125 million. Jones faces the maximum possible sentence of 29 years in state prison.
The incident took place at around 7:00 p.m. on July 4 near 118th and Robin Street in Willowbrook, as Rodriguez was going for his daily walk around the block. Erik Mendozza, Rodriguez’s grandson indicated on a GoFundMe page, “He was assaulted by an African American lady and five other guys. He is doing really bad, has a lot of bruises on his face and a broken cheekbone.”
As of Saturday, July 14, the GoFundMe Page has raised over $321,603, surpassing the $15,000 goal that was set.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Jones attacked the elderly man and struck him with a brick, inflicting great bodily injury. According to prosecutors, after the assault, Rodriguez was brought to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and Jones fled the scene. Rodriguez is originally from Mexico, and is currently a U.S. citizen.
Erik Mendozza, Rodriguez’s grandson, told NBC Los Angeles, “Who would do this to anybody… [He’s] a 92-year-old senior citizen—what can he do to anybody? There’s no harm that he meant.”
Canyon News spoke to a representative at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department who said, “It is confirmed that this was not a hate crime.”
According to the LASD, the weapon has not been located and motive for the attack has not been revealed at this time. Authorities have declined to release Jones’ booking photo. The investigation is still underway. Detectives are seeking additional information about other possible suspects who may have been involved or additional witnesses that may have witnessed the assault.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Luna, Century Sheriff’s Station at (323) 568-4800. For those who prefer to provide information anonymously, call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Written By Katie Trojano and Donald Roberts
