Arrests Made in Janessa Rodriguez’ Shooting Death

Arrests Made in Janessa Rodriguez’ Shooting Death

FRESNO – The men responsible for the death of a 9-year-old girl killed in a gang shootout in January were arrested.

Janessa Rodriguez was killed by a stray bullet on January 18 as she and her mother, Stacey Gonzales, were talking to friends in front of a laundromat at Marks and Clinton Avenues in Fresno.

Two gang members, now identified as Brian Cooks, 22, and Isaac Stafford, 19, shot at each other from nearly 300 yards away in an attempt to settle a feud based on a shooting that took place in 2012.

According to police, an associate of Cooks, identified as Deondre Robinson, was sent to prison for a shooting at Ashlan Avenue and Parkway Drive in 2012. Stafford was one of the witnesses who helped send Robinson to prison, and Stafford’s name was posted on social media as a snitch, police said.

The gunfight that ended Janessa’s life began around 8:40 p.m. on January 18 when Cooks, armed with a handgun and riding a skateboard, crossed paths with Stafford, who was headed southbound in a Dodge Challenger with another occupant, Police Chief Jerry Dyer said.

Someone in the Challenger shot four rounds and hit a car that Cooks had crouched behind. Cooks fired one round before his gun jammed. Unfortunately, that bullet hit Janessa in the stomach. She was taken to the hospital, where she died a short time later, Dyer said.

No one else was hurt in the incident.

“We are very fortunate because with the close proximity of the individuals next to Janessa, we could have had other people shot as well,” Dyer said.

After nearly two weeks and 1,600 hours spent trying to solve the crime, police were able to identify and arrest Cooks and Stafford on murder charges.

Read More:

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ABC30: 2 arrested in shooting death

Arrests Made in Janessa Rodriguez’ Shooting Death was last modified: February 2nd, 2015 by admin
Categories: Fresno

About Author

Elizabeth Warmerdam

Beth Warmerdam is a freelance journalist based out of Reedley. She graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a BA in print journalism and has worked for several newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing, Beth enjoys being a stay-at-home mom, trying to keep up with her 2-year-old son, Zachary.