An 18-year-old man described by relatives as the victim's ex-boyfriend was charged Tuesday with murder for the stabbing of a 17-year-old Azusa High School cheerleader.
The murder charge against Daniel Rodriguez includes an allegation of the use of a deadly weapon, according to court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 8 in Pomona. Rodriguez remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.
He is charged in the Friday death of Angelina Camilla Gonzales, who was found dead that night at a home in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue, near Third Street and west of the Azusa High School West Campus, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which assisted Azusa police in the investigation.
Family members said Rodriguez was Angelina's ex-boyfriend, although it was still unclear what may have motivated the attack. According to relatives, Rodriguez picked up the victim after she attended a cheerleading banquet Friday night, and she never returned home.
Her stepfather told ABC7 he was able to track her cell phone location to the Soldano Avenue address, where authorities found her suffering from stab wounds. She died at a hospital.
Rodriguez was arrested Saturday.
Angelina recently joined the Azusa High wrestling team and she would have turned 18 on Jan. 7, relatives said.
Angelina's family has raised more than $17,700 as of Tuesday through a GoFundMe page for her funeral. The family is also raising money by hosting a car wash and bake sale on Saturday at the VFW in Azusa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Anyone with additional information about the stabbing was asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to visit lacrimestoppers.org.