Gift in remembrance

Police association contributes $300 for shooting victim’s burial. Family is still short on funds.Family and friends of the young Costa Mesa man shot to death during a weekend fight prepared on Wednesday for his funeral. With the killer still at large, the family of 21-year-old Hermes Rodriguez continued to raise money for his burial.

Rodriguez was gunned down during a fight near Hamilton Street and Wallace Avenue on Costa Mesa’s Westside on Saturday.

Police are searching for Pedro Gallegos Garcia, 28, who witnesses said is the shooter. Garcia may be in the area and may be armed and dangerous, police said.

Representatives of the Costa Mesa Police Officers Assn. on Wednesday presented Rodriguez’s mother, Estela Raya, with a $300 donation toward funeral and burial expenses.

“The police association board heard about her circumstances and decided we would assist,” said Costa Mesa Det. Ed Everett.

Detectives met with Raya and updated her on the latest details of the investigation at her Costa Mesa home, where Rodriguez also lived with his two younger siblings.

“We just want the community to know that the Police Department is here to assist the community,” Everett said.

Rodriguez’s cousin, Brenda Ramirez, along with several family friends, was busy Wednesday creating floral arrangements for memorial services.

A makeshift altar with prayer candles, a rosary and photo of Rodriguez was set up in the entry hall to the family’s town house.

Ramirez said the family had received a constant stream of support from the community.

“We’ve gotten a lot of support but still don’t have what we need for all the expenses,” Ramirez said, adding that the funeral, hospital and burial fees are about $3,000.

The shooting took place outside a house party. Rodriguez and another man were reportedly fighting when Garcia came out of the party and intervened, police said.

More people joined the fight, and Rodriguez was shot from behind as he moved away from the struggle, police said.

Paramedics took Rodriguez to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he was pronounced dead.20060216iur5fzncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Johnny Cruz, left, a friend of Hermes Rodriguez, and Brenda Ramirez, Hermes Rodriguez’s cousin, work on a floral arrangement for Rodriguez’s services.