2 Arrested in Murder of Local Student

Los Angeles - A romantic relationship may have been behind the slaying of a popular El Camino Real High School student outside his family's home in Winnetka, it was reported today.

Jason Schumann, 24, of Calabasas, and 19-year-old Elizabeth Ibarra, who has lived in several areas of the San Fernando Valley, were arrested Monday night in connection with the slaying of 17-year-old Francisco "Pancho" Rodriguez outside his home in the 6900 block of Cozycroft Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. a week ago today, authorities said. The two are being held without bail.

The victim may have been killed over a romantic relationship, the Daily News and Los Angeles Times reported, citing law enforcement sources. He may have been involved with a woman with a jealous male friend.

Rodriguez, a goalie, had returned home from a soccer game during which El Camino Real played Taft High School to a scoreless tie. Police said a red-haired woman or girl knocked on the family's door and apparently asked for the teen by name. When he went outside, he was shot and fatally wounded.

Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Jorge Villegas announced the arrests at a news conference Tuesday. No details on what may have precipitated the slaying were revealed.

"We don't believe it was gang-related or related to any other criminal activity," Villegas said. "We believe it was personally motivated."

The deputy chief said investigators were led to the suspects by anonymous tips and help from the victim's family, Los Angeles School Police and
Los Angeles Unified School District officials.

A 15-member LAPD task force made the arrests after tracking down the green Ford Explorer witnesses saw fleeing the murder scene, according to The Times.

"This case is far from being over," Villegas said. "There's a specific anonymous tip that came to us, and we need that person to come forward, identify himself or herself, and provide us with additional information that we need to further solidify this case."

Villegas said Schumann and Ibarra "have extensive rap sheets and both are currently on probation." Schumann's criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon, battery, drug charges and forgery while Ibarra's rap sheet lists forgery, battery on police officer, resisting arrest and identity theft.

Their court dates have not been announced.