Fired Cop Suspected of Murdering Family's “Backbone” Urged to Turn Himself in at Vigil

The fired rookie LAPD officer suspected of murdering a man over an argument outside a bar was urged to turn himself in at a nighttime vigil by the victim's family.

More than 200 people attended the emotional event held Wednesday at the spot where Salome Rodriguez Jr. was shot to death in Pomona last week.

Henry Solis, 27, is believed to have gunned down Rodriguez Jr. in the area of Third and Main streets at about 3:30 a.m. last Friday. He was charged with murder in an arrest warrant issued Monday.

"God took the backbone of our family," Rodriguez Jr's mother Lidia Rodriguez told the crowd.

His eight-year-old brother JJ was in tear as he appealed for justice at the vigil.

"I would like Henry Solis to turn himself in. We just want answers," another family member said.

The family also said that although Solis was a police officer, they are sure both Pomona Police Department and the LAPD are doing what they can to find him and bring him to justice.

Solis has been fired due to his conduct, with Chief Charlie Beck saying he "disgraced the badge and the uniform of the LAPD."

Solis was off-duty at the time of the shooting. A vehicle wanted in connection with the crime was found Sunday in a Pomona alley, several blocks from where Rodriguez Jr. was gunned down after what authorities described as a fistfight.

On Monday, police said Solis might now be using a brown or tan 1992 Ford pickup with California license plate 4J79703. His arrest warrant described him as "armed and dangerous."

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