Murrieta Teen ID'd In Deadly Temecula Walmart Stabbing

MURRIETA, CA — A man who died after being stabbed following a fight that landed on the doorsteps of Walmart in Temecula has been publicly identified by the Riverside County coroner's office and loved ones. Kevin Rodriguez, who lived in Murrieta, was just 19.

"He spent his days doing what he loved attending church and pursuing his passion in film," a GoFundMe account started by the man's cousin Breana Rodriguez states. "Anyone that knew him knew he was full of life and adventure. We miss him dearly."

Official police details from the case indicate Rodriguez and another man, identified as 40-year-old James Beckham Fortney, got into "an altercation" somewhere off Walmart property. That argument continued into the parking lot of the superstore on Temecula Parkway, where the stabbing happened around noon Wednesday, the sheriff's department said.

Rodriguez was treated at the scene, but died a short time later at the hospital.

The GoFundMe account set up to help Rodriguez's family with expenses has raised $13,600 as of 11 a.m. Thursday. Along with monetary donations, dozens of messages of condolences for the family were left on the page.

"Sorry this had to happen this so early in your life. I'll cherish our days in Laguna for the rest of my life and I'll see you up there with the Lord someday. Love you man," one such message states.

Another heartbreaking message states: "Kevin. Was my idol he taught me more about god fim and cliffjumping. I loved going to chuch with him and going cliffjumping. Its sad b/c the first time i ever met him we went shopping at that walmart. I have been crying for hours..."

Click here if you'd like to donate or read more messages.

More information about the man's death was revealed through interviews with his parents.

Traci Rodriguez told KTLA news that her son's girlfriend held her bleeding son until paramedics rushed him to the hospital. The man's father said Rodriguez and his girlfriend were headed to Walmart when they saw Fortney with "really bad anxiety" honking at a lady in a nearby crosswalk.

"He almost hit my son's car," Atticus Rodriguez told KTLA. "So my son raises his hands and is like, 'What's wrong? What's wrong with you?' Came here to the Walmart, they just figured they're going to walk into Walmart and buy groceries and that's when the altercation happened, the guy got out of his car, went after my son, got him by the throat, he told his girlfriend, 'You're next.' She's freaking out and she had no idea that he had a knife and stabbed him in the heart."

The girlfriend also said Fortney had tried to help after the attack — which he was allegedly filming, according to the TV station.

Police told Patch they could not comment on the allegations of the circumstances surrounding the stabbing nor confirm if there was a video recording.

RELATED:

>>What We Know About The Alleged Temecula Walmart Stabbing Suspect

>>Temecula Walmart Stabbing Attack Leaves 1 Dead: Police [UPDATED]

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Image via GoFundMe