Man pleads not guilty to deadly Panorama Park shooting

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other charges filed in connection with a shooting last month in the parking lot of Panorama Park.

Angel Rodriguez, 24, stood next to his lawyer, Tony Lidgett, as the charges against him were read. Court Commissioner Sally Ackerknecht ordered Rodriguez held without bail.

He’s due back in court May 29.

Police built a case against Rodriguez through surveillance video, numerous interviews and an abandoned vehicle, according to a probable cause declaration.

Around 11 p.m. on April 19, a group of people approached a Chevy Tahoe in the parking lot, according to the declaration.

The driver and rear passenger pulled guns and fired, according to the declaration. Ronald Josue Rivera Hernandez, 24, was struck multiple times. He died at the scene.

Someone returned fire and the driver hit the gas, police say in the declaration.

The driver attempted to run down a member of the group as the SUV sped away, according to the declaration.

One witness told police the driver — whom several witnesses identified as Rodriguez — pushed his girlfriend out of the vehicle and racked a handgun before the shooting.

Police say in the declaration those actions show “Rodriguez planned on shooting the subjects prior to it occurring.”

The Chevy was found abandoned. A records check revealed it was registered to Rodriguez, according to the declaration.

On May 14, police tried to arrest Rodriguez when he arrived at his place of business. He ran through a yard and tried to hide his cellphone but was taken into custody minutes later, according to the declaration.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.