EXPOSITION BLVD — Police are seeking the public's assistance locating a Santa Monica resident suspected of shooting a man in the Pico Neighborhood in broad daylight Sunday afternoon.
Police responded to the 2900 block of Exposition Boulevard at 12:50 p.m. on Sunday in response to a call of a shooting and found the victim, a 32-year-old Latino male who had been struck three times.
The man was riding his bicycle when the suspect, Levy Ernesto Rodriguez, 24, allegedly drove up alongside him and fired several rounds.
He was transported to a local trauma center with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
Officials believe that the shooting may be gang-related, said Sgt. Richard Lewis, spokesperson for the Santa Monica Police Department.
Officers served search warrants on Sunday, but could not find Rodriguez. The vehicle he was believed to be driving was found and impounded as evidence, according to the police.
Rodriguez is described as 6-foot-3-inches tall, weighing 190 pounds with brown hair and green eyes.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Bambrick at (310) 458-8933, Sgt. Ira Rutan at (310) 458-8959 or the SMPD at (310) 458-8495.
If you wish to remain anonymous, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463) or submit the tip online at www.wetip.com. You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
Callers can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, texting from a cell phone or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Callers may remain anonymous and may be qualified to receive a $1,000 reward by Crime Stoppers.
ashley@www.smdp.com
