Eddie Gonzalez was a school safety officer in Long Beach, California. After 3 years, he finally stood trial for the murder of Manuela Rodriguez. His trial originally started earlier this year in April. However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, and a mistrial was declared. On August 20, 2024, Eddie Gonzalez pleaded no contest to the conviction of voluntary manslaughter against Manuela Rodriquez. He did not admit to being guilty but accepted the charges against him.
The Arrest of Eddie Gonzalez
On September 27, 2021, Manuela Rodriguez was seen fighting with a younger girl near Millikan High School. Eddie Gonzalez was in the middle of patrolling when he came across them. After he intervened, Rodriguez and a couple of others tried to flee the area. She hopped in a sedan to get away when Gonzalez fired his gun at the car. It pierced through the window of the passenger side, hitting Rodriguez in the head. She was immediately taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, a week later, she died from her injuries. She was only 18 years old at the time of her death. Manuela Rodriguez left behind her infant son and a grieving family.
Shortly after the shooting of Manuela Rodriguez, Eddie Gonzalez was fired from his position. He was later arrested and charged with Rodriguez’s murder. The Rodriguez family filed an official lawsuit against the Long Beach School District. The lawsuit accused Eddie Gonzalez of being an improper hirer and stated he violated school policy. In April 2023, they received a $13 million settlement from the school district for the murder of Manuela Rodriguez.
Law Enforcement in Schools
This case is one of many that have brought attention to armed officers in schools. A bill was recently introduced and denied in California that would require one armed officer in every school. The purpose behind the bill was to reduce the number of school shootings. However, many parents believe that all it will do is add more guns to schools. Parents don’t want to fear for their children’s lives while they are at school. Cases such as Manuela Rodriguez’s are proof that those parents have every right to be fearful. The prosecution in her case claimed Gonzalez was given too much power and he tried to “play police officer”.
Eddie Gonzalez’s Sentencing
During the trial, the prosecution argued that those in an authoritative position must be held accountable for their actions. Eddie Gonzalez was supposed to protect the students and the surrounding area of the school. Instead, he was the cause of a student’s death. Gonzalez was claiming self-defense in fear of being run over by the ‘getaway’ car. However, he did not testify on his behalf. The prosecution strongly argued against his actions. He was accused of using unnecessary and excessive force. They also claimed he made many poor decisions that led to Rodriguez’s death.
In April, a mistrial occurred which postponed the conviction of Eddie Gonzalez. There were a total of 12 jurors. Seven of them were arguing for a second-degree murder charge. However, the other five argued for voluntary manslaughter, which is a lesser charge. Nonetheless, he was finally convicted after four months. He is set to be sentenced on October 8, 2024, after pleading no contest. He is currently out on bail until his sentencing. He is looking to face 3-6 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Manuela Rodriguez.
Final Thoughts
Manuela Rodriguez was a beloved daughter, sister, and mother. What happened to her is nothing short of a tragedy. It was a terrible situation that she did not deserve to be in. What her family has gone through is something no one should ever experience. Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard enough. It’s even harder when you can’t fully grieve. Since the passing of Manuela, all her family has hoped for is justice. On October 8, justice will finally be served.
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