Rocky Paul Jones, a 51-year-old resident of Visalia, California, tragically lost his life on December 17, 2018. Rocky, who was born on November 15, 1967, in Tulare, California, was known for his kind and genuine nature. He worked as a dairyman and was deeply loved by his family, including his daughter Cheyenne Jones, his stepfather Rosaly Rodriguez II, and his brothers Jody Jones, Elliott Rodriguez, Rosaly Rodriguez III, and Roman Rodriguez.
Rocky's untimely death left a significant void in the lives of those who knew him.
The circumstances surrounding Rocky's death were both shocking and tragic. On the morning of December 17, 2018, Rocky was killed outside an AM-PM convenience store in Visalia. His death was part of a violent crime spree perpetrated by 36-year-old Gustavo Garcia. Garcia, who had a lengthy criminal history, went on a rampage across Tulare County, committing multiple crimes including carjacking, armed robbery, and two murders. Rocky was one of the unfortunate victims of this spree. Garcia's actions culminated in a shootout with law enforcement and his eventual death in a crash.
In the aftermath of Rocky's death, his family sought justice and accountability. They filed a lawsuit against Walmart, alleging that the company was partly responsible for Rocky's murder. According to the lawsuit, Garcia had stolen unsecured ammunition from a Walmart store in Tulare, which he then used during his crime spree. The family argued that Walmart violated state law by not securing the ammunition properly, thereby enabling Garcia's access to it. The lawsuit aimed to hold Walmart accountable for their alleged negligence and to push for stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Rocky's family, particularly his daughter Cheyenne and his brother Jody, have been vocal about their grief and their desire for justice. They have called for tougher laws to hold criminals accountable and to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Jody Jones, in particular, has been an advocate for change, even gaining national attention when he was invited as a guest to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. The family's fight for justice continues as they navigate the legal and emotional challenges following Rocky's tragic death.
