Grandfather Ran Toward Gunman to Protect Children at LA Watch Party
Luis Romero was at a watch party with his son when he heard gunshots nearby. He saw an armed man. He saw a crowd full of children. Then he ran toward the gun.
The 56-year-old grandfather from Duarte was shot in the leg during the struggle that followed — and his family didn't know where he was for more than 12 hours.
What Happened Near Seoul International Park
Hundreds of fans had gathered at Seoul International Park in Koreatown on the evening of June 18 to watch the Mexico vs South Korea World Cup match.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., according to the LAPD, as reported by NBC Los Angeles, officers received calls of a person shooting a firearm into the air near Irolo Street and James M. Wood Boulevard — about one block from the main watch party area.
Shortly after, a second set of calls came in. The same suspect had fired rounds at a person near the intersection of Normandie Avenue and James M. Wood Boulevard.
That person was Luis Romero. He had not been targeted randomly — he had put himself in the gunman's path by choice.
Romero told KTLA that when he heard the shots and saw the armed man, his immediate concern was the crowd around him, which included many children. His instinct was to stop the gunman before anyone was killed. He ran over, attempted to disarm the suspect, and was shot through the left thigh during the struggle.
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The 12 Hours His Son Didn't Know
Romero was at the event with his son, Leon. As the chaos of the shooting and the surrounding celebrations unfolded, Leon lost sight of his father in the crowd.
When the game ended, Leon waited in the parking lot. His father never appeared.
"When the game ended, I went to look for him, but I couldn't find him, so I went to the parking lot, just waited for him there and thought maybe he'll show up eventually, but he never showed up," Leon said.
It wasn't until the following day — more than 12 hours after the shooting — that he was reunited with his father in hospital.
Romero had been rushed for surgery after the bullet passed through his left thigh. He has since been discharged, but the injury has left him unable to work.
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The Suspect, the Charges, and What Comes Next
Andy Rodriguez, 19, was arrested at the scene by LAPD officers. Footage captured Rodriguez yelling at bystanders as officers handcuffed him and led him away. A firearm was not recovered at the scene, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Rodriguez faces one felony count of assault with a firearm on a person, along with two special allegations: using a firearm during the commission of a felony and causing great bodily injury. He remains in custody on a $1.1 million bond.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for June 30.
No motive for the initial gunfire has been established. LAPD has not indicated whether Rodriguez had any prior connection to Romero or to the watch party.
Following the shooting, LAPD issued a citywide tactical alert as post-game celebrations in Koreatown turned chaotic — with fans climbing on vehicles, setting off fireworks and blocking streets. The alert was cancelled by approximately 10:30 p.m. No other arrests were reported in connection with the crowd activity.
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'He Has Always Put Others Before Himself'
Romero's son Oswaldo launched a GoFundMe page to help the family cover medical expenses during his recovery.
"Anyone who knows Luis knows he is a devoted father and proud grandpa, a hardworking provider, a passionate soccer fan, and a man who has always put others before himself," Oswaldo wrote. "He has spent his life working hard to support his family and never hesitates to help those in need."
Romero faces a long recovery. He cannot work while he heals from the gunshot wound to his leg — a consequence of a decision he made in seconds, in a crowd of strangers, to stop an armed man before anyone else could be hurt.
Key Takeaways
- Luis Romero, 56, of Duarte was shot in the left thigh on June 18, 2026, after he charged at a gunman who opened fire near a World Cup watch party at Seoul International Park in Koreatown.
- Romero was attending a nearby watch party with his son and intervened to protect the crowd, which included children, by attempting to disarm the suspect.
- The bullet passed through his left thigh during the struggle; he underwent surgery and has been discharged but cannot work during recovery.
- Suspect Andy Rodriguez, 19, was arrested at the scene and faces one felony count of assault with a firearm and two special allegations — using a firearm during a felony and causing great bodily injury.
- Rodriguez remains in custody on a $1.1 million bond. Arraignment is scheduled for June 30.
- No motive has been established for the initial gunfire. A firearm was not recovered at the scene.
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James Mitchell has covered US and UK politics for over a decade, with a focus on elections, foreign policy, and Capitol Hill. He breaks down complex political stories into clear, fast analysis.
