Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - The community is grappling with the shocking and senseless death of an aspiring 17-year-old athlete, artist and cheerleader who was murdered Friday night.

Angelina Gonzales was identified by school officials and family members in the hours after her death.

Gonzales was stabbed in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue December 20. She died at a hospital. The 18-year-old suspect is in custody, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Angelina was an exceptional young woman whose talents and energy touched the lives of so many around her,” according to a statement from the Azusa Unified School District. “Angelina was a bright light in the classroom and a dedicated member of the cheer squad and wrestling team, where she demonstrated incredible spirit and determination.”

In June, Gonzales earned first place recognition in the Congressional Art Competition. Her work is currently displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Her artwork also won the Judge’s Choice Award in 2022.

Angelina was headed for college after graduation. Her family and friends have the arduous task of grieving over her death while attempting to pick up the pieces and move forward with celebrating her life.

“Angelina was so much more than her achievements. She was a light in all our lives—a kind, loving, and vibrant soul who brought joy, laughter, and love wherever she went. Her smile lit up every room, and her determination inspired everyone around her. She had big dreams, a big heart, and an even bigger impact on her family, friends, and community,” according to a statement published on the family’s gofundme page.

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The Azusa Unified School District is offering social-emotional support district families through Care Solace.

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The Suspected murderer, 18-year-old Daniel Rodriguez, was arrested December 21 and remains in custody in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court December 24.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Investigators announced the arrest of a man accused of stabbing to death a 17-year-old girl in Azusa.

The 18-year-old suspect is an Azusa resident and acquaintance of the teen, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect’s name is not readily available.

Azusa Police officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call around 10 p.m. in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue December 20. The 17-year-old victim was transported to a hospital for treatment where she died.

The circumstances leading to the suspect’s arrest have not been disclosed.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A woman discovered suffering from stab wounds died after she was taken to a hospital Friday night.

The wounded woman was found in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue around 10 p.m. December 20. First responders were sent to the location on a reported assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if homicide detectives have identified a suspect, or a motive for the stabbing.

Anyone with information on this stabbing is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man accused of brandishing a handgun at a train operator was located and arrested July 19.

The incident unfolded on the Metro A-Line tracks between Irwindale and Azusa. The train operator saw the suspect and a companion on the tracks. The operator sounded the horn at the duo.

“When the operator activated the train horn to alert the suspect to move, the suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the operator,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Services Bureau.

The suspect fled the area, but was later located, identified and arrested, according to the Transit Services Bureau.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Homicide detectives are on scene of a fatal shooting Friday.

First responders were sent to the 200 block of North San Gabriel Avenue around 5:30 a.m. August 9. The victim was taken to a hospital where they later died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if investigators identified a suspect or motive.

San Gabriel Avenue between West Third Street and West Second Street remains closed.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two burglary suspects were taken into custody July 16, allegedly found with iPads and random construction equipment taken from Duarte High School.

Both suspects were tracked through the stolen iPads to a vacant business in Azusa, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Entry was forced into a storage container at Duarte High School, 1565 Central Ave., between 4 p.m. July 15 and 6 a.m. July 16, according to the Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The Azusa Police Department was notified at 6:44 a.m. July 16 that the signal from the stolen iPads was tracked to a vacant business in the city.

“The suspects refused to allow Officers entry into the business and a search warrant was served. Azusa PD Officers recovered the stolen property,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Talia Martinez and William Avetyan of North Hollywood were both arrested.

Los Angeles county booking information is not available for either suspect.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The 15-year-old boy killed after being shot April has been identified.

Aldo Ramirez died from a gunshot wound to his torso. His death is listed as a homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

First responders were sent to the 300 block of South O’Malley Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Ramirez was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital where he died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

What led to the shooting has not been shared by investigators.

A gofundme was created to help with funeral expenses.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A gunshot victim died at a hospital after being found shot in a neighborhood.

First responders were sent to the 300 block of South O’Malley Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The victim was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital where he died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

No other details are publicly available.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man was shot Wednesday night and died from his wounds after being hospitalized.

Residents reported hearing a hail of gunfire just after 9 p.m. January 31. First Responders were sent to the 100 block of North Azusa Avenue to investigate the gunfire and found a victim with wounds to his upper torso, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Investigators apparently have no suspect information. It is not publicly clear if a motive was established, or if more than one firearm was used in the shooting.

The crime appeared to take place between the Mobil gas station and a carwash just north of 1st Street. Yellow evidence markers dotted the asphalt to the east and west of the gas station.

Two bicycles were left discarded near the gas station and carwash.

Across Azusa Avenue to the east, an officer meticulously searched the lawn of the adjacent Azusa Health Center for spent shell casings or bullets.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man was shot and found dead in a neighborhood that has become a hotbed of shootings and murders within the last year.

First responders arrived to the 200 block of East Newburgh Street around 11 p.m. Friday, June 9 and found three victims. The two surviving victims were taken to a hospital, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if investigators have determined a suspect, or motive.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.