Norco Man Dies After Being Shot in Corona Market; Friend Arrested

A Norco man who was shot in the head Thursday night died Friday afternoon at Riverside General Hospital.

Marcos Rodriguez, 54, was shot at La Tapatia Market on East 4th Street in central Corona, said Police Sgt. Rick Goldman. Police booked his friend, Mario R. Zavala, 24, of West Covina, on suspicion of attempted murder, Goldman said. Zavala was held at Corona City Jail on $100,000 bail.

But Zavala was transferred late Friday to Riverside County Jail, where he was to be booked on suspected manslaughter, and his bail reduced to $15,000, said Corona Police Sgt. Rich Renstrom.

“It looks like a manslaughter case right now,” said Lt. Bob Martin, commander of detectives for the Corona police, “(because) all indications are that there was no argument and no motive for the suspect to shoot the victim.”

Witnesses’ statements indicated the shooting was not intentional, Martin said, adding: “But there is negligence involved anytime you point a gun at somebody.”

Rodriguez and Zavala had arrived at the store together, shortly before the older man was shot with a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

The gun “was kept near the front counter of the store for protection against robberies, etc.,” Martin said. “. . . The suspect is related to the owner of La Tapatia. I think he’s the son.”