Family and friends celebrate birthday of Lodi man slain in May
There was music, there were friends and family, there was tasty food, everything you would need to celebrate Ruben Rodriguez Jr.’s 32nd birthday party Everything except Ruben Jr. Nearly three months after his murder, family and friends of Rodriguez gathered at Micke Grove Park to celebrate his birthday Friday afternoon.
“We’re just trying to keep his memory alive and just to celebrate his life,” his brother, Gabriel Rodriguez, said. “He was a beautiful and wonderful person, and so that’s why we just wanted to come together because everybody has been affected by it, friends and family. We all wanted to come together and lean on each other and show each other support.”
Ruben Rodriguez Jr. was shot twice on the 700 block of West Vine Street at approximately 11:13 p.m. May 11 and was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency medical personnel. According to Deputy District Attorney
“We’re just trying to keep his memory alive and just to celebrate his life,” GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ, BROTHER OF RUBEN RODRIGUEZ JR.
Caitlin Casey, four people are in custody and have been charged with his murder and a court date has been set for further arraignment of the four defendants. One of the defendants has been transferred from juvenile court and will be charged as an adult.
The investigation is ongoing as to whether anyone else was involved, said Casey, who attended the party to lend support to the family.
“We’re here to offer the continued support of our victim witness unit to Mr. Rodriguez’s family and encourage people to have patience with the process and if they have any information to make sure they get that to Lodi Police Department so we have as full of a picture as we possibly can,” Casey said.
Rodriguez’s family is still coming to terms with his death and are taking things day by day. While some feel they may be able to get some closure once the perpetrators are sentenced, others feel that there will never be closure.
“It’s been really hard to deal with. Each day is different. Sometimes the emotions are hard to bear, and on others days I just think about all the good times we had together,” Gabriel said.
“A big part of my heart was ripped out, so you know I try to be as happy as possible, but there’s always that empty feeling of knowing he’s not here.”
Gabriel’s faith and the outpouring of support from friends and family have helped him cope with the loss. He feels confident that justice is being served and is pleased to know that four suspects have been identified in the case.
“I think once the preliminary hearing starts and once the suspects find out they’re not playing around, I think they’ll start pointing fingers and then they’ll find out more behind the motive and what exactly happened that night,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel said the detectives and Casey have been very supportive to his family during this difficult time. A local organization for victims of crime helped with funeral costs and provided counseling to the family, Gabriel said.
Rodriguez’s aunt, Stella Rodriguez, is also having a difficult time coming to grips with what happened to her nephew. She has been devastated by the loss.
“Some days are harder than others,” she said. “A piece of my heart will never be the same. We miss him terribly.”
She’s looking forward to seeing justice served.
“Maybe I’ll feel better because the guys will pay for what they did,” she said
The heartbreak has rippled through the family.
“It’s affected us big time,” she said. “My mother took it really hard. It was hard to see her cry because it was not his time. He didn’t have anything to do with it. He was just at the wrong place.”
With the family mourning, friends and even strangers in the community have stepped up to provide a comforting hand.
Stella recalled how Hollywood Cafe donated food to the family and how grateful she was for the gesture. She also recalled the outpouring of support the family received when Rodriguez’s headstone was installed, and how he had 12 pallbearers because so many people loved him and wanted to do that for him.
Matthew Rodriguez looked up to his older brother and said he is trying to learn from this loss and be the person he knows his brother would want him to be.
“It’s heartbreaking, it’s sad, but I know that life goes on, and I know exactly what he would do if I were to pass away,” Matthew said. “He would try to make the best outcome out of it. He would try to be there for my family and really make better decisions because, when things like this happen, it opens your eyes.”
His brother’s death has changed his outlook on life, and now he is living each day to the fullest.
“I think my brother, he always lived his days like it was his last days, and he was such a good spirit. If you were to meet him, you’d see that, too,” Matthew said.
Like his brother, Gabriel, he is confident that justice is being served, and believes that he will be able to get some closure in time.
Ruben Sr., Rodriguez’s father, is leaning on his faith to help him come to terms with the loss of his son.
“I think for me it’s my relationship with God, knowing how things work, my purpose here on earth,” Ruben Sr. said. “I love that he has shown me the love that I need to show others even though the death of my son was a violent, tragic thing that happened. I still have a lot of love that I get from the Lord, so that helps me.”
Ruben Sr. is also confident that justice is being served and feels they have a dedicated district attorney on the case. However, he feels he will probably never be able to put his son’s death behind him.
“I know in time things will get a little easier, but I don’t think there will be any closure,” he said.
He has been overwhelmed by the support of family and friends, and has enjoyed meeting some of Rodriguez’s friends that he’d never met before.
Cynthia Herrera, another one of Rodriguez’s aunts, is also trying to cope with the loss.
“He wasn’t my nephew, he was more like a son to us,” she said. “When you know the facts about the murder, and the way he died, that he wasn’t even the one that was supposed to die, that’s the hardest part,” she said tearfully.
Herrera feels that she may be able to get some closure once those responsible are sentenced and held accountable for their actions.
“Once everything is said and done, I can tell him ‘mijo, you’re okay. They are paying for what they did to you.’ I don’t want this to be another unanswered crime. He should really be the last person that is buried.”