2 homeless men gunned down in Pacoima over the weekend
Two homeless men were gunned down in as many days, just two miles apart, in Pacoima over the weekend.
Both shootings happened along the same street, but LAPD detectives don't think the cases are connected.
The most recent shooting happened at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at Paxton Street and Dronfield Avenue. A 36-year-old man who was standing on the sidewalk near a 118 Freeway overpass was approached by another man of about the same age in a vehicle, according to the LAPD. After asking a few questions, the LAPD says the man in the vehicle fired several gunshots at the pedestrian.
The suspect drove away from the scene. The man who was shot was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police say he lived in a nearby homeless encampment next to the 118 Freeway overpass. His name has not yet been released.
The killing happened less than 24 hours after 42-year-old Mario Rodriguez, who was found shot to death in a ravine near the rocks at Dronfield Avenue and Terra Bella Street at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. The day after, police investigators say a fire was deliberately set.
"They don't seem to be related at this time as far as what they were looking for. I can't rule out robbery, some other kind of criminal activity," LAPD Detective Jason Haggis said.
Both shootings remain under investigation. Anyone with information about either shooting can call LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide detectives at (818) 374-9550.
