A probationer who gunned down an Indio woman at her shared residence without giving a specific reason pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and other offenses.
Johnny Jose Rodriguez, 32, of Indio, admitted the felony charge, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. No charges were dismissed under the plea bargain.
Superior Court Judge Kristi Hester scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 20 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Rodriguez is expected to receive more than 30 years in state prison.
The defendant, who is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center, fatally shot 32-year-old Angela Struzas inside her home at 38555 Rancho Los Coyotes Drive, near Avenue 38.
Indio Police Department Detective Kelly Hawkins testified during a 2020 preliminary hearing that detectives were taken aback when they entered the victim’s room to collect evidence.
“She was just drenched in blood, and in a pool of blood,” the detective said.
Detective Matthew Gutting said Rodriguez immediately admitted perpetrating the shooting while being questioned by investigators, saying “I’m a good aim.”
Gutting said the defendant described firing a bullet into Struzas’ arm with a gun that he claimed at the time was handed to him minutes earlier by the woman’s housemate, who allegedly told Rodriguez to “get her.” Another shot killed the victim.
The defendant would not specify what led to the attack. The housemate, whose name was not released, was arrested alongside Rodriguez, but detectives ultimately determined the party had no part in the deadly shooting.
The defendant underwent medical examinations to determine whether he was mentally competent to stand trial, leading to a brief round of psychiatric treatment before criminal proceedings could resume.
He has a prior conviction for possession of controlled substances for sale.