FBI says LAPD officer charged with murder fled to Texas with his father's help

A fired LAPD officer charged with murder remains at large, and a federal warrant says he fled to Texas with assistance from his father.

Henry Solis, 27, was charged Tuesday with fatally shooting Salome Rodriguez Jr. on March 13 in a parking lot in Pomona, California. Earlier, Solis and Rodriguez had been at the nearby Vive Tequila Lounge and Nightclub, and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said the shooting was "fueled by alcohol," the Los Angeles Times reports. In an affidavit, Special Agent Scott F. Garriola said that before skipping town, Solis "made incriminating statements about his role in the murder of Rodriguez," and said he would never be seen again.

Solis' father, Victor, admitted to FBI agents that he drove his son to El Paso and dropped him off at a bus station, but says he does not know where he is currently. Solis was a U.S. Marine before joining the LAPD in June, and because he was a probationary employee, Beck had the legal authority to fire him faster than if he had tenure. On Tuesday, Beck had a message for Solis during a news conference: "You have dishonored this police department, your country and your service to the country, and your family. And you should turn yourself in and face the consequences of your actions."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up