A Filipino-American gym custodian, Rolando Viray Yanga, 60, was fatally shot in Daly City, California, after an altercation with a gym member over hygiene protocols. Yanga confronted 21-year-old gym member Maarij Afridi, leading to a heated argument that escalated into a fatal shooting outside Yanga’s home on September 29, 2024.
According to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, Afridi allegedly followed Yanga home after the incident and shot him eight times outside his residence at around 7 p.m. Security footage shows Afridi’s vehicle trailing Yanga’s car before the gunshots were heard.
Afridi fled the scene but was arrested the following day by Daly City SWAT officers. His mother, Zaib Un Nisa Afridi, 50, was also apprehended on suspicion of being an accessory for allegedly helping her son escape by driving the getaway vehicle.
In a statement to GMA Integrated News, Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, who is also Filipino-American, expressed her condolences to Yanga’s family. “Our hearts go out to the family of Rolando Yanga. As a community, we mourn your loss, and while no words can ease the pain, please know that we grieve with you,” said Manalo.
She also noted that Yanga’s death is the first homicide case in Daly City this year, highlighting the rarity of such tragedies in the area.
Afridi has been charged with murder, and his mother faces charges of being an accessory. Both are currently held at Daly City County Jail.
Yanga is survived by his wife, four children, and several grandchildren. His family expressed their deep grief in a GoFundMe page, stating, “We are devastated to share the tragic loss of our beloved father, Rolando, whose life was taken far too soon in a senseless act of violence.”
