In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 2, 2017, a night out in Nashville tragically ended in the death of 19-year-old Juan Alexander Rodriguez. A male of Hispanic descent, Rodriguez, along with his friend, 23-year-old Javier Pedroza Jr., were fatally shot as they were leaving an after-hours nightclub. The two men had been at La Mansion Hall, which was operating out of the Island Vibes restaurant located at 1326 Antioch Pike.
Earlier in the evening, a dispute had reportedly broken
out in the nightclub's restroom, involving both Rodriguez and Pedroza. Following this altercation, security personnel at the establishment escorted both men from the premises. As they made their way to Pedroza's blue Chevrolet Silverado parked in the lot, a small, silver car is believed to have approached them. It was from this vehicle that shots were fired, striking both Rodriguez and Pedroza multiple times.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but the injuries sustained by both men were too severe. Juan Rodriguez and Javier Pedroza Jr. were pronounced dead from the gunshot wounds they received in the parking lot ambush. The small silver car seen at the time of the shooting fled the scene, and the individuals inside have not been publicly identified.
The investigation into the double homicide was initiated by the Metro Nashville Police Department. However, despite the initial investigation, no suspects have been publicly named, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Juan Rodriguez and Javier Pedroza Jr. The case has since gone cold and remains an open investigation with the Nashville Police Department's Cold Case Unit. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case and bring those responsible for the deaths of the two young men to justice.
