SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Antonio Rodgers-Alcala, the accused killer of 18-year-old Damien Gonzalez, appeared in court today for an armed robbery case dating back two months before the fatal shooting in August.
During today’s hearing on the June 3 robbery, Rodgers-Alcala’s attorney, Lawrence Strauss, withdrew a motion to reduce the five felony charges from the burglary case to misdemeanors. Rodgers-Alcala was arrested for murder on Dec. 28.
Rodgers-Alcala and three juveniles were apprehended after being caught breaking into cars around Telegraph Hill. All but one were armed, according to court filings.
He faced multiple felonies for the incident, including second-degree burglary, vandalism, carrying a concealed weapon, and carrying an unregistered loaded gun.
In the robbery case, Rodgers-Alcala was deemed ineligible for young adult court, which would have required regular check-ins with supervisors and frequent court appearances.
At the time of Gonzalez’s murder, Rodgers-Alcala was out on bail, awaiting his preliminary hearing on the burglary case. Just two days before his arrest for murder, his defense attorney filed a motion requesting to reduce Rodgers-Alcala’s charges, citing “hallmark features of youth” and a focus on rehabilitation.
Gonzalez was shot and killed on Aug. 18 at the Mission Recreation Center, where he was playing basketball with friends. Rodgers-Alcala allegedly shot Gonzalez five times at close range in front of witnesses, then was seen on surveillance camera being picked up by his mother after the shooting.
Gonzalez was involved in various community groups and was starting a clothing brand at the time of his death.
The District Attorney’s Office described Gonzalez’s killing as “callous murder” and accused Rodgers-Alcala of demonstrating an escalation of violent behavior. Upon his arrest for murder, police allegedly found another gun in his bedroom.