Slain teen's kin seeks answers

LULAC joins effort to learn more about the shooting involving an HISD officer

By JO ANN ZUÑIGA
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

The family of Roy Rodriguez, a teen fatally shot last week by a Houston school police officer, are asking to meet with school and police officials to learn more about his death.

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The request was made Friday at a news conference organized by the League of United Latin American Citizens on behalf of Rodriguez's mother, Rachel Rios.

"I feel like my son has been murdered," Rios said. "All I want is justice here."

Rodriguez was fatally shot by an HISD police officer at Lantrip Elementary School a week ago Saturday morning. The officer, Richard McColister, 40, said he found Rodriguez trespassing on school property and prying open a vending machine in an outdoor courtyard.

After the teen allegedly threatened to shoot him and reached into his pocket, the 10-year HISD police veteran said he shot Rodriguez. But the item in the teen's pocket turned out to be a screwdriver.

The shooting is believed to be the first by an on-duty HISD police officer, said school and police officials.

Both HISD interim Superintendent Abe Saavedra and HISD Police Chief John Blackburn were out of town on Friday and unavailable for comment on the family's request for a meeting.

"But the superintendent has been meeting with community groups and he would be accessible to meeting with the family," said HISD spokeswoman Adriana Villarreal.

McColister remains on administrative duty as both the Harris County district attorney's office and Houston Police Department investigate the death. Rodriguez dropped out of high school last year and had numerous run-ins with police over the past several years, including several misdemeanor convictions.

"We feel sorry for the family and all those involved for what they are going through," Villarreal said.

On Friday, LULAC representatives Johnny Mata and Sylvia Gonzalez said the shooting is another example of the "carnage" involving young minorities in police shootings.

The family also expressed anger at how the Houston Police Department notified them of their son's death.

HPD officers entered their apartment while the parents slept, woke them and told them to put their hands up while the police searched the apartment for weapons, Rios said.

The homicide detectives started interrogating them before finally telling them that their son was dead , she said.

Lt. Robert Manzo confirmed the series of events, but explained that it was to "ensure a safe environment" for both the officers and the family.

Rios said her son had been trying to straighten out his life after his most recent release from jail and was working with his stepfather.