California man faces possible life sentence for allegedly shooting occupied car with BB gun



A California man with a prior record is facing the possibility of life behind bars for attempted murder after officials say he fired a BB gun at a vehicle carrying three passengers. Authorities believe he is responsible for many more similar incidents.

What are the details?

Officials believe Jesse Leal Rodriguez, 32, is the person who allegedly fired a BB gun and shattered the window of a Tesla with three passengers inside earlier this week, The Orange County Register reported. He was arrested on three counts of attempted murder and three counts of assault for the incident that happened in Norco.

KTLA-TV reported that prosecutors say Rodriguez faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted on all counts, because he has a prior "strike" conviction.

Rodriguez allegedly fired a BB gun at the Tesla on Tuesday. None of the occupants of the vehicle were injured.

Witnesses told investigators that the person responsible was driving a maroon Chevrolet Trailblazer. Authorities were able to track down Rodriguez, and a search of the vehicle recovered a BB gun, BBs, and other purported evidence that was not disclosed.

"Shooting at moving vehicles with a BB gun or pellet gun while traveling at high speed on our roads or freeways is incredibly dangerous," Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin stated in a press release. "Shooting out windows of cars could easily startle drivers in traffic and cause a major accident."

The area has seen a rash of similar instances in the area, and officials think Rodriguez has something to do with others — even though, so far, he has only been charged with one.

"Rodriguez is suspected of 7 cases of firing a BB gun at occupied vehicles while those vehicles were being driven," California Highway Patrol investigator Steven Cuevas wrote in court filings, according to The Register. "Rodriguez was in possession of a BB gun and his vehicle was identified. Numerous CHP areas are currently investigating well over 100 similar incidents, some of which could possibly be linked to Rodriguez."

Louisiana 4th grader suspended because BB gun was visible during virtual class session



A fourth grader in Louisiana was suspended from school and nearly expelled after his BB gun was seen on camera during a virtual class session, according to the New Orleans Advocate.

Ka Mauri Harrison, 9, was participating in a virtual class session with his Woodmere Elementary classmates. He was on the computer in his bedroom.

Ka Mauri's younger brother entered the room and tripped over the BB gun while Ka Mauri was taking an English test. Ka Mauri leaned over and grabbed the BB gun and moved it away from his brother, next to his chair — and within view of his computer's camera.

Ka Mauri was disconnected from the virtual class session minutes later. He had the computer muted during the test, so he hadn't heard his teacher and didn't know why he was kicked out of the class. The school called his parents and informed them of the suspension.

"Ka Mauri presented a weapon that appeared to be a rifle/shotgun during his Google Meets classroom session," the behavior report said. "This is a violation of weapons in the classroom setting and a violation of the internet usage policy. He will be recommended for expulsion as per JPPSS policy."

The school opted not to expel him, but suspended him for six days, citing the violation as "displaying a facsimile weapon while receiving virtual instruction."

Ka Mauri's family is considering legal action against the school system, after their appeal of the suspension was rejected. Their attorney, Chelsea Cusimano, told the Advocate, "It's not ending here. It's our intent to explore further options.."

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced that the state Department of Justice would open an investigation into the incident, citing a possible constitutional infringement.

"I am alarmed by what appears to not only be multiple violations of both the State and Federal Constitutions, but also blatant government overreach by the school system," Landry said in a news release. "I have begun investigating this matter and plan to take action in defense of this young man and his family and all families who could suffer the same invasion of their homes and constitutional rights.

"For anyone to conclude that a student's home is now school property because of connectivity through video conferencing is absurd," the statement continued. "It is ludicrous for this All-American kid to be punished for taking responsible actions just as it is for his parents to be accused of neglect."

4th grader in Louisiana suspended when he picks up BB gun during virtual class youtu.be