Man, two teenagers arrested in connection with Mecca homicide

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) - A man and two teenagers were arrested in connection with a deadly shooting last week in Mecca.

Daniel Ernesto Molina, 20, and two male teenagers, a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, all residents of Mecca, were arrested on Wednesday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office announced.

The arrest stems from a deadly shooting on March 24 on Coahuilla Street and 6th Street, near the Mecca Sports Complex. Anjel Rodriguez, an 18-year-old resident of Thermal, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Molina has been charged with 1st degree murder and other charges. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday at the Larson Justice Center, court records show.

Molina remains in custody at the John Benoit Detention Center. The teens were booked into Juvenile Hall for assault with a deadly weapon, causing great bodily injury.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Chua at (951) 955–2777 or Thermal Station Investigator Bugarin at (760) 863–8990.