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Leon Guerrero found guilty of murdering Tayna Rodriguez in New Haven last year

The 31-year-old man shot the 26-year-old victim on April 23, 2023.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — On Wednesday, a jury in New Haven Superior Court found a man guilty of murdering Tayna Rodriguez last year, according to a release from the state’s Division of Criminal Justice.

31-year-old Leon Guerrero shot and killed the victim, the 26-year-old Rodriguez, in New Haven on April 23, 2023, prosecutors said. The incident stemmed from an altercation Guerrero had with two men that did not involve Rodriguez, according to the prosecution.

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At a press conference held last year shortly after his daughter's murder, Johnny Rodriguez spoke on Tayna's death. 

"I want justice for my daughter. She don't deserve this. She's my baby," he said. 

Police said Tayna Rodriguez came between three men who were fighting on Saltonstall Avenue just after 1 a.m. and she was struck by gunfire. 

"She was getting out of the car, to try to possibly separate the individuals who were fighting," New Haven Asst. Police Chief Bertram Ettienne said in 2023. 

RELATED: “I want justice for my daughter”: Calls for change come from father of recent New Haven homicide victim

Police found Rodriguez on the road when they arrived, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

According to police, Guerrero is the one who made the 911 call. He told officers his gun was in his vehicle. 

"It is not just one life. It is so many lives that are impacted in our city when someone decides to play god," New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said last year, following Rodriguez's death. New Haven experienced four shootings in less than eight hours that weekend. 

Rodriguez's uncle, Danny Heredia, said last year that Guerrero "took a beautiful soul." 

"She was a very outgoing, friendly person. She cared about her family and friends," Heredia said in 2023. 

Prosecutors said that sentencing for Guerrero is scheduled for Aug. 26 in New Haven Superior Court.

RELATED: Man dies Wednesday in Milford police custody

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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com

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