REDLANDS – A 34-year-old man was arrested in the murder of a 17-year-old on Wednesday night. Two days later, more information surfaced about the suspected shooter, Erlindo Rodriguez, Jr., of Redlands. According to reports, Rodriguez was growing fresh marijuana in a yard that bordered an alleyway. It’s likely the victim was trying to take some of the plants.
Rodriguez was arrested after the body of the teen, Marcus Green, a student at Redlands East Valley High School, was discovered shortly after 10 p.m. Redlands Fire Dept. paramedics responded to the scene on the 1000 block of Post St., pronouncing Green dead. Green, who was found with a pair of scissors near his body, was cutting fresh marijuana plants that belonged to Rodriguez, according to reports, which is the reason the suspect opened fire. Police questioned Rodriguez after Green was found lying in an alley, unresponsive and a single gunshot wound in his chest.
According to reports, Rodriguez has been selling marijuana products to neighbors, including kids and adults. Redlands police did not comment on that portion of the investigation. In 2000, Rodriguez was convicted a concealed weapon in Los Angeles. Two years later, he was found to be a felon in possession of a firearm in San Bernardino. In 2004, he was convicted for grand theft auto in San Diego. The following year, he was convicted for assault with a deadly weapon in Riverside.
Police have not yet determined if Rodriguez, who was arrested last December for failing a mandatory drug test, has gang connections. He spent the remainder of his sentence in county jail. The shooting location was less than two blocks from a January 2011 shooting that claimed the lives of two teenagers while two others were injured.
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