People v. Alvarez CA4/1
Opinion
Opinion
STATEMENT OF FACTS
At about 9:00 p.m. on March 14, 2012, Alvarez and David Chavoya went to a
liquor store in Chula Vista. Both Alvarez and Chavoya were members of the West Side
Locos street gang. Chavoya entered the store first.
Once inside the store, Chavoya encountered several members of the Vario Chula
Vista street gang, including James Rodriguez, the victim in this case. All of the events
that followed, including the killing of Rodriguez, were captured on the store's video
surveillance system.
Chavoya got into a dispute with the members of the rival gang and was chased out
of the store. Chavoya called for help from Alvarez.
2 Alvarez entered the store and attempted to punch Rodriguez, however Rodriguez
fought back and Alvarez ran out into the parking lot with Rodriguez in pursuit.
Once in the parking lot, Chavoya attempted to stab Rodriguez, but was
unsuccessful. Alvarez told Chavoya to get back into the car, which he did. Alvarez
pulled a gun and began shooting at Rodriguez and the latter attempted to run away.
Rodriguez was shot and fell to the ground. Alvarez continued to shoot Rodriguez while
he was on the ground and hit him two more times.