A knock, three gunshots and a mysterious slaying in Winnetka

A popular 17-year-old high school student was killed by a girl after a knock at his west San Fernando Valley front door.

Francisco Rodriguez Jr. talked to the girl briefly in the doorway Wednesday evening, out of earshot of his mother and his older sister, who said she had never seen the girl before. Turning back into the house for a moment, he told them he was going outside.

Francisco seemed afraid, his sister, Jessica Rodriguez, 23, said Thursday morning, explaining the sequence of events with her hand covering her face, crying.

Francisco walked into the frontyard of the Winnetka home. Moments later, his sister said, she heard three gunshots. The next thing she remembers seeing is her brother lying motionless, facedown on the lawn.

A dark-colored SUV was parked outside the house when she ran outside, and Rodriguez said she saw people in the vehicle who she believes fired the shots. She didn't see the girl who had come to the door, and the car sped away. Shattered glass was on the curb.

Detectives had not identified a motive or suspects as of Thursday afternoon.

Investigators said Francisco did not appear to be affiliated with a gang.

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