Police said the killing appeared isolated as detectives searched for surveillance video and a suspect.
TUSTIN, CA — A 42-year-old mother of two was shot and killed Thursday evening near Seventeenth and Yorba streets in Tustin, where police found her unresponsive beside the curb after several reports of gunfire.
The woman was identified by family as Sandra Rodriguez. Police said the shooter had not been arrested by Friday afternoon, leaving detectives to collect witness accounts and search for video that could show what happened before the shooting and where the suspect went after leaving the area.
Officers were called to Seventeenth Street and Yorba Street North at about 6:11 p.m. Thursday after multiple people reported hearing gunshots. When officers arrived, they found Rodriguez unresponsive on the east curb north of Seventeenth Street. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said witnesses saw a man run from the area after the shooting. The man was described as possibly wearing dark clothing and leaving in a dark-colored sedan. Some reports described the car as an older model, and one account said it may have been a Honda.
Rodriguez was found near her car, relatives said. Her family said she had recently started a job at Families Together, a nonprofit health care organization in Orange County, and parked off-site before she was shot. A small white SUV was seen near the scene as investigators worked the area. Families Together spokesperson Cassandra Rossel said the killing stunned people who knew Rodriguez through the organization. “This is extremely shocking to us,” Rossel said. Police did not release a motive Friday and had not said whether Rodriguez knew the person who shot her.
The shooting happened near a busy Tustin intersection but drew attention from neighbors and passersby because it unfolded along a street where people were moving through the evening commute. Investigators spoke with witnesses at the scene and began looking for security cameras from homes, businesses and vehicles near Seventeenth and Yorba. Police said the suspect was last seen leaving the area after the gunfire. No weapon had been publicly described, and officials had not released a detailed timeline beyond the initial calls, the discovery of Rodriguez and the reported flight of the suspect.
Tustin police said detectives believe the shooting was an isolated incident and that there was no ongoing threat to the general public. The case remained open Friday, with investigators seeking more surveillance footage and information about the man seen leaving the scene. Police asked anyone with details to contact Det. Chelsea Harris at 714-426-2427. No charges had been announced, and police had not released the suspect’s name, age or a more detailed description.
At the scene, mourners and community members tried to comfort Rodriguez’s family as the investigation continued. Chris Walker, who came to pay respects, said he wanted to recognize the family’s grief. “For the family, I just wanted to acknowledge and honor them,” Walker said. “To acknowledge their sorrow and just kind of chat with them for a few minutes.” The shooting left relatives, coworkers and neighbors waiting for answers about why Rodriguez was targeted and who fired the shots.
As of Friday afternoon, detectives were still searching for the suspect and reviewing possible video from the area near Seventeenth and Yorba streets. The next major update is expected when police identify a suspect, announce an arrest or release new evidence in the case.
Author note: Last updated May 15, 2026.