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Illegal immigrant charged in cheerleader's murder 'knew what he was doing' despite latest claim, mom says

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Illegal immigrant charged in cheerleader's murder 'knew what he was doing' despite latest claim, mom says

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The mother of slain 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina, who was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant from Mexico in December 2023, says the suspect’s request for an insanity evaluation only “adds to the pain.”

Rafael Govea Romero, 25, is charged with capital murder after Lizbeth was found dead with stab wounds on Dec. 5, 2023, in the bathroom of the Edna, Texas, apartment she shared with her mother.

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“I broke down. I completely broke down,” Jacqueline Medina, Lizbeth’s mother, told Fox News Digital of her reaction to seeing his request for an insanity test, as local newspaper The Victoria Advocate first reported.

“For me, there’s enough evidence that is obviously determining the fact… he knew what he was doing,” Medina said. “One of the police officers said he seemed to be professional.”

TRUMP WIN MOVES SLAIN CHEERLEADER’S MOM TO TEARS AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT FACES MURDER TRIAL

Rafael Govea Romero, 25, is charged with capital murder in connection with the December 2023 death of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina. (FOX 26 Houston)

Medina had left their apartment for work early on Dec. 5, 2023. Her daughter typically left for school shortly afterward, but that day she did not make it to school or the Christmas parade that her cheer team was supposed to be practicing for.

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Medina returned home that evening after no one had heard from or seen Lizbeth and found her dead in the bathtub of their apartment. Edna police arrested Romero in Schulenburg, Texas, five days after Lizbeth’s death.

TEXAS TEEN LIZBETH MEDINA MURDER: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MURDER SUSPECT RAFAEL GOVEA ROMERO

The murder suspect was reportedly on probation for a 2022 burglary in Schulenburg, about 60 miles from Edna, the Fayette County Record first reported. Edna police said Romero may also be tied to a burglary that occurred at Lizbeth’s home about a month before her killing.

“The insanity plea just adds to the pain and to the hurt that we’re already going through,” Medina said. “And I was looking forward to this trial, and now it’s being pushed back.”

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Romero was initially scheduled to stand trial in December, but it has been rescheduled for February, and Medina said she is not receiving updates from the court regarding developments in the case. 

“[H]e came in and violated her rights… yet they want to talk about his rights, and that infuriates me.”

— Jacqueline Medina

“All I want… all I am begging for is justice for my daughter. That’s all I want, and the fact that this case will be pushed back and pushed back – it hurts me because I ask myself: Did my daughter get that chance? Did she get that chance? Did he give her that mercy? Or that chance to live?” Medina said. “She had the right to live. She had the right to be safe in her home.”

Edna police said the investigation into Lizbeth’s murder is ongoing, and authorities are taking particular care in releasing information to  media “to protect due process, follow ethical rules and avoid trial by press conference.” (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office)

Medina said she is eagerly awaiting answers in her daughter’s case, including why a judge previously released Romero on parole in his prior burglary case. 

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Neither Medina nor Lizbeth knew Romero, but Medina noted that their house had been burglarized on Nov. 13, about a month before the teenager’s murder. Edna police officers believe Romero may have been involved in the burglary and may have stalked Lizbeth before allegedly attacking and killing her.

MOM OF TEXAS TEEN ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT CALLS FOR CHANGE AFTER LAKEN RILEY MURDER

Jacquelin Medina came home on Tuesday evening to find her daughter, Lizbeth “Liz” Medina, dead in the bathtub of their residence at the Cottonwood Apartments. (Facebook)

The grieving mother also said she stands with others who have lost their children to illegal immigrant suspects this year, including the family of Laken Riley. The suspect in Riley’s murder, Jose Ibarra, of Venezuela, was convicted on 10 counts and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Nov. 13. Lizbeth, Riley, Rachel Morin of Maryland, Jocelyn Nungaray of Texas, Ruby Garcia of Michigan and Maria Gonzalez of Texas are women and girls allegedly killed by illegal immigrants over the past two years.

“[The] Biden and the Harris administration failed us completely.”

— Jacqueline Medina

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“I stand with all the mothers and fathers who are going through this like and Riley’s family and Jocelyn Nungaray’s family – all of them,” Medina said. “We are all united by the same tragedies. I have recently seen Laken Riley’s outcome. And like I said, they will never get to have her back. But that could have been prevented. [The] Biden and the Harris administration failed us completely, and now I’m losing hope.”

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Romero’s defense team also filed a motion to suppress certain evidence, arguing Edna Police Department officers searched and detained Romero without reasonable suspicion, and they searched his apartment without consent from the suspect, the Advocate reported.

The suspect’s defense attorney, Ross Reifel, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital. Romero is currently being held on $2 million bond in Jackson County.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

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Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.

She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.

Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach on June 3, 2026. (Long Beach Police Department)

“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.

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The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355. 

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

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NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]

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