A judge has set $1 million bail for a man suspected of mortally wounding an 18-year-old man who was dropped off at a Chula Vista hospital.
Diego Anthony Rodriguez, 18, was shot in the head on April 10 around 12:45 a.m., and someone dropped him off at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista, where hospital staff attempted life saving measures. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 1:06 a.m.
The person who dropped him off left the hospital shortly afterwards, according to the sheriff’s department.
Chula Vista Police detectives determined the shooting scene was at a residence in the 400 block of 7th Street in Imperial Beach. Johnathan Reibeling, 19, who lived nearby, was arrested on April 11 by sheriff’s homicide detectives.
A prosecutor said Tuesday that Rodriguez and Reibeling were acquainted with each other. Riebeling appeared on a video screen before a Chula Vista Superior Court judge and pleaded not guilty to murder.
A preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 26. Reibeling remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility.
A family friend of Rodriguez, of San Diego, posted a GoFundMe notice to raise funds for his funeral expenses on April 15. Alexis Yanez, of Imperial Beach, posted the notice.
“Diego Rodriguez was such an uplifting person who always had a smile on his face,” wrote Yanez.
“He has touched everyone in a special way.”
“He had so many future plans but sadly those plans won’t happen because his life was taken too soon. His life was cut short on Friday, April 10 making it hard for our whole family,” the post stated.
“Due to this pandemic, it is extremely hard to pay for funeral expenses because not all of us are working,” stated Yanez. “Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”
