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I saw this on last night's news. I didn't know him personally, but it's still sad to read about. He was in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Vigil held for shooting victim
Web Posted: 07/14/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Vianna Davila
Express-News Staff Writer
www.mysa.com
Joe Albert Rodriguez couldn't hear the shots that killed him.
But friends and family members hoped to raise a loud outcry against violence at a Wednesday night vigil, held steps away from where the 21-year-old man was gunned down outside his home in the Alazan-Apache Courts on Sunday.
"This person didn't even know Joe," said his aunt, Patsy Mendez. "He was deaf, but a lot of people just loved him, because he was a great person."
Rodriguez was fatally shot in the 1100 block of San Fernando Street around 3:35 a.m. Sunday, according to police reports.
Police issued a murder warrant for Jesus Treviño on Sunday afternoon. Investigators said he did not know Rodriguez although they believe Treviño's girlfriend was hanging out with the same group as the victim.
Treviño remains at large.
Rodriguez's mother, Sandra Mendez, organized the vigil to raise awareness about the case in hopes Treviño will be found.
"Because I want the man caught. And he is going to be," Mendez said.
But others only cried for the friend they knew as "Silent Joe," a man who was going to invite his brother over for supper when he was shot.
"God, we know that he wasn't really silent," said District 5 Councilwoman Patti Radle at the vigil. "If he was so silent, how was he able to speak to so many?" she asked as an interpreter for the deaf translated her words into sign language.
Being deaf never stopped Rodriguez, said his uncle, Luis Rodriguez. His nephew boxed at The Advocates Social Services on Buena Vista Street, loved shooting hoops, and played football for Sam Houston High School.
"He understood us, or we understood him. If not, we found a way to do it," his uncle said.
But in the moments before Rodriguez died Sunday morning, his younger brother Angel forgot Joe was deaf and figured his older brother had heard the shots that rang out on the street where the two stood.
"I thought he ducked," Angel Rodriguez said. He soon realized a bullet had hit his brother in the neck.
He remembered that Rodriguez put his hand to his wound, but then removed it to sign to his brother not to worry.
Ten seconds later, Rodriguez died in Angel's arms.
Anyone who can offer help with funeral expenses can call (210) 683-3288 or send money to the account of Sandra Mendez for the benefit of Joe A. Rodriguez at Laredo National Bank.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vdavila@express-news.net
Vigil held for shooting victim
Web Posted: 07/14/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Vianna Davila
Express-News Staff Writer
www.mysa.com
Joe Albert Rodriguez couldn't hear the shots that killed him.
But friends and family members hoped to raise a loud outcry against violence at a Wednesday night vigil, held steps away from where the 21-year-old man was gunned down outside his home in the Alazan-Apache Courts on Sunday.
"This person didn't even know Joe," said his aunt, Patsy Mendez. "He was deaf, but a lot of people just loved him, because he was a great person."
Rodriguez was fatally shot in the 1100 block of San Fernando Street around 3:35 a.m. Sunday, according to police reports.
Police issued a murder warrant for Jesus Treviño on Sunday afternoon. Investigators said he did not know Rodriguez although they believe Treviño's girlfriend was hanging out with the same group as the victim.
Treviño remains at large.
Rodriguez's mother, Sandra Mendez, organized the vigil to raise awareness about the case in hopes Treviño will be found.
"Because I want the man caught. And he is going to be," Mendez said.
But others only cried for the friend they knew as "Silent Joe," a man who was going to invite his brother over for supper when he was shot.
"God, we know that he wasn't really silent," said District 5 Councilwoman Patti Radle at the vigil. "If he was so silent, how was he able to speak to so many?" she asked as an interpreter for the deaf translated her words into sign language.
Being deaf never stopped Rodriguez, said his uncle, Luis Rodriguez. His nephew boxed at The Advocates Social Services on Buena Vista Street, loved shooting hoops, and played football for Sam Houston High School.
"He understood us, or we understood him. If not, we found a way to do it," his uncle said.
But in the moments before Rodriguez died Sunday morning, his younger brother Angel forgot Joe was deaf and figured his older brother had heard the shots that rang out on the street where the two stood.
"I thought he ducked," Angel Rodriguez said. He soon realized a bullet had hit his brother in the neck.
He remembered that Rodriguez put his hand to his wound, but then removed it to sign to his brother not to worry.
Ten seconds later, Rodriguez died in Angel's arms.
Anyone who can offer help with funeral expenses can call (210) 683-3288 or send money to the account of Sandra Mendez for the benefit of Joe A. Rodriguez at Laredo National Bank.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vdavila@express-news.net
