Police Arrest Two Suspects in Slaying of High School Soccer Goalie

Los Angeles police arrested at least one suspect in the shooting death of El Camino Real High School soccer goalie Francisco Rodriguez, the department announced today.

The Los Angeles Times reported on its web site that two suspects were arrested in connection with the killing. A police spokesperson released no information about the case beyond the initial police statement, which did not state the number of arrests.

A 3 p.m. news conference is scheduled at the LAPD's Topanga Division to release further details, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. City Councilman Dennis Zine was among those expected to be on hand.

• Earlier story:

Rodriguez, 17, was gunned down shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday outside his home in the 6900 block of Cozycroft Avenue in Winnetka.

"This was not a random shooting," LAPD Detective David Peteque said earlier. "This was definitely targeted toward a specific individual."

The victim had returned home from a soccer game during which El Camino Real played Taft High School to a scoreless tie. Police said a red-haired woman or girl knocked on the family's door and apparently asked for the teen by name. He was shot when he went outside.

Police described the female as a Latina in her late teens or early 20s, about 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 120 pounds. Her hair apparently was dyed red or auburn, and she was wearing a dark sweater, police said.

Rodriguez's father, who recently returned from a trip to his native Mexico, was working to arrange his son's burial. His son's wish was to be buried next to his best friend, Chatsworth High soccer star in Chatsworth's . The son was known as "Panchito," a nickname for "Little Francisco."

Romero was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle on DeSoto Avenue last April. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday for , who is charged with vehicular manslaughter and other charges stemming from the accident. Her father, , is accused of being an accessory after the fact.

—City News Service contributed to this report.