LOS ANGELES, CA – A family-focused World Cup watch party turned into chaos in Koreatown after a gunman opened fire, injuring a local father who bravely stepped in to protect the crowd.
Gunfire Erupts at Watch Party
The incident occurred during a crowded outdoor gathering at Seoul International Park as hundreds of soccer fans met to watch the Mexico versus South Korea match. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), an armed suspect arrived near Normandie Avenue and James M. Wood Boulevard and fired multiple rounds, sending families scrambling for safety.
Luis Romero, 56, of Duarte, was attending the event with his son when the shooting began. Noting that the area was filled with children, Romero took action and rushed to disarm the shooter.
The Confrontation and Arrest
During the struggle to neutralize the gunman, Romero was shot in the left thigh. Bystanders rushed to assist him as authorities arrived at the scene.
LAPD officers quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Andy Rodriguez, just before 7:00 p.m. While a clear motive for the shooting remains under investigation, witnesses captured footage of the suspect shouting at onlookers during his arrest.
Long Recovery Ahead for Local Hero
Romero was rushed to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. While he has since been released, family members state that he faces a lengthy recovery process and will be unable to work for the foreseeable future.
His family has characterized him as a devoted father and hardworking provider who instinctively put the safety of others before his own.
Legal Charges Filed
Rodriguez is currently being held in custody on a $1.1 million bond. The Los Angeles Times reports that the suspect faces serious legal repercussions, including:
- One felony count of assault with a firearm
- Special allegations of using a firearm during a felony
- Inflicting great bodily injury
An arraignment hearing for Rodriguez is officially scheduled for June 30.
