Man charged in fatal stabbing of Azusa teen; family says he is her ex-boyfriend

An Azusa man was charged Tuesday, Dec. 24, with fatally stabbing a 17-year-old Azusa High School senior last week.

Relatives have identified the victim as Angelina Gonzales and the suspect as her ex-boyfriend. However, investigators have not revealed what led to the stabbing or the specific relationship between 18-year-old Daniel Rodriguez and Gonzales.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed a murder charge against Rodriguez along with the special allegation that he personally used a deadly or dangerous weapon, a knife. His Tuesday arraignment at Pomona Superior Court was continued to Jan. 8, said Venusse Dunn, a spokeswoman for the DA’s Office. His bail was set at $2.02 million, she added.

Family members of Gonzales said the suspect picked her up from a cheerleading banquet on Friday and took her to his home. Her stepfather told ABC7 that he tracked her cell phone location.

Officers went to the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue on an assault call around 3 p.m. on Friday and found the wounded victim. She died at a hospital.

Public records show Rodriguez lives in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue in Azusa.

Police arrested Rodriguez on Saturday morning. He was being held at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

Gonzales was an Azusa High School senior who the Azusa Unified School District described as an award-winning artist and a dedicated member of the cheer squad and wrestling team. After winning first place this year at the 31st District Congressional Art Competition, and the Judge’s Choice Award in 2022, Angelina’s work has been displayed at the U.S. Capitol, the school district said in a statement.

“Her creative talents and vibrant personality enriched our community in countless ways,” the district said.

Reporters Andrea Klick and Mona Darwish contributed to this story.