California

Former Rookie LAPD Officer Wanted on Murder Charge Arrested

Henry Solis, 27, was arrested in Mexico. He was wanted in connection with a killing in Pomona in March.

A former Los Angeles Police Department officer charged in the shooting death of a man in California was arrested by authorities in northern Mexico, the FBI confirmed Tuesday night.

Henry Solis, 27, was wanted in connection with the March 13 shooting death of 23-year-old Salome Rodriguez Jr., in Pomona. Solis' father, Victor, was arrested in late March for allegedly lying to the FBI after helping his son flee to Mexico.

Solis was deported to the U.S. on Tuesday night and will be held in El Paso, the FBI said in a statement.

Solis is also charged in a federal criminal complaint with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, the FBI said.

Additional details were expected Wednesday.

Rodriguez's mother, Lidia Rodriguez, said she heard of the arrest from news reports.

"I felt blessed, like God is hearing us," Rodriguez said. "The only thing we kept on doing is praying and asking people on Facebook, friends and family, to keep on praying."

"I want him (Solis) to see who we are, who junior's family is," she added.

Rodriguez's family and friends gathered in solidarity Tuesday night outside the night club where he was gunned down.

Details were sketchy and sources said that law enforcement was continuing to investigate in the Juarez area where Solis was arrested. Others were being looked at in connection with helping Solis avoid the law.

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

Solis’ father was arrested in Lancaster, California, and charged with making a false statement to law enforcement. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Solis was fired from the LAPD after he was initially charged with murder.

Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report.

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