16-year-old suspect named in killing of Robert Rodriguez, 14

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Los Angeles police issued a murder warrant Thursday for the arrest of a teenage suspect in the killing of Robert Rodriguez, a 14-year-old Latino boy.

LAPD Det. Marc Matinez said Ignacio Araujo, a 16-year old Latino, is accused of killing Rodriguez in front of an apartment building in the 15400 block of Vanowen Street in Van Nuys on Oct. 23.

Rodriguez was shot about 3:50 p.m. when he was allegedly approached by Araujo. According to Martinez, Araujo asked Rodriguez where he was from, a common question used to determine gang identity, then shot him once in the head.

Martinez said Rodriguez was not a documented gang member and had no prior criminal history.

Araujo, who police say is a known member of the Mara Salvatrucha gang who goes by the nickname ‘Tiny,’ is being charged as an adult with Rodriguez’s murder and is still at large. He is 5-foot-2 and weighs 120 pounds, according to a police flier.

In addition to Rodriguez’s slaying, Araujo has been charged with the attempted murder of two other males and faces an additional count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, according to the complaint filed by Los Angeles County prosecutors.

Martinez said there was no dispute that led up to the shootings, but he would not discuss what specifically happened that afternoon.

Anyone with information about Araujo’s whereabouts is asked to call LAPD Van Nuys detectives at (818) 374-0040.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.