Suspect identified, sought in shooting
July 24, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Police Department
Community members helped Santa Paula Police identify the suspect in last week’s murder of an area woman, and now police are counting on the public to help them make an arrest.
An autopsy Friday revealed that Angela Bryant, 33, of Santa Paula, died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Bryant was shot inside a home in the 600 block of Ojai Road at about 11:11 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. She was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where she later died, officials said.
SPPD Lt. Ishmael Cordero said the suspect, Andres Rene Rodriguez, 28, of Oxnard, and Bryant were in a verbal and physical altercation before Bryant was shot. “The door was broken into the bathroom where the victim was found,” said Cordero, an altercation that ended with the shooting.
“We did locate some witnesses who gave us a clearer picture of what happened and subsequently led to the identification of the suspect,” a documented member of an Oxnard gang. Although a possible motive is subject to further investigation, Cordero said Rodriguez apparently knew Bryant before the altercation.
Rodriguez also is wanted in connection with a June shooting in Oxnard that the victim survived. Rodriguez is considered armed and dangerous.
Cordero said police have received numerous calls and tips from the public and are following up on every lead offered. “We have to get this guy off the street,” Cordero said, “the sooner, the better. It’s a team effort” between Santa Paula and Oxnard police, as well as “on our and the community’s part.”
The two police agencies are sharing information as they both search for Rodriguez, who has an extensive criminal record in Ventura County dating to 2003. Rodriguez has been convicted of carrying a weapon, possessing and being under the influence of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest, according to court records. In addition, Rodriguez has outstanding warrants on numerous charges, including elder abuse, owning or possessing a firearm as a felon, and assault.
In 2004, Rodriguez spent time in state prison for robbery, false imprisonment, and possession of a controlled substance, records show. Paroled in 2007, Rodriguez committed a new crime and returned to prison in 2009 for assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
In January 2012 Rodriguez was released back to Ventura County, where he was under probation supervision. Rodriguez was released from custody in April under the Post Release Offender Program.
Bryant, reportedly the mother of several small children, had a criminal record in Ventura County dating to 2001, when she was convicted of petty theft. She later was convicted of forgery, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possessing an injection or ingestion device, and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, according to court records. Most recently, she was convicted of commercial burglary for a 2012 incident in Santa Paula.
Cordero said Thursday, “Without the public assistance through the witnesses coming forth it would be almost impossible to solve a case of this magnitude. We thank people for helping the police to be at this point of the investigation, to have a suspect identified. Police departments can’t have an officer right there at every shooting as it happens, and we can’t do it all,” the reason, noted Cordero, “we rely on community help, the help the public gives us.”
Anyone with information about Rodriguez’s whereabouts is urged to contact Santa Paula Police at 525-4474, ext. 221, or Oxnard Detective Mike Johnson at 385-7645. If the caller would prefer to remain anonymous, they can call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-4253-1-#. They also can anonymously call the Violent Crimes Hotline at 982-7070.
Those with information can also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). The caller may remain anonymous and the call is not recorded. Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and criminal complaint against those responsible for crime.
