Life Sentence in 2022 Gas Station Murder
Today in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, the court sentenced Francisco Rodriguez, age 27, to life in prison for murder
On August 7, 2022, at about 1:30 am, Rodriguez and others got into a confrontation with another group inside of a gas station on Lovers Lane in Visalia. A fight ensued, which eventually spilled out into the parking lot. As one group ran to their car, Rodriguez, in possession of a handgun, fired six rounds at the group, killing an adult male attempting to leave in the car. The entirety of the incident was caught on surveillance video.
Soon after, Rodriguez fled to Mexico, but was apprehended at the border in June 2023.
In a verdict handed down on April 18, 2024, a Tulare County jury convicted Rodriguez of second-degree murder with the special allegation of personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, causing death. According to current California sentencing laws, Rodriguez must serve 25 years, not including credits determined by CDCR, before being considered for parole.
The case was prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Kalina Laleva and was investigated by the Visalia Police Department.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494