BROOKSHIRE, Texas – The family of Juan Carlos Rodriguez Jr. is looking for justice. They want to know who shot the 18-year-old to death last Friday and left his body in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Brookshire.
“In reality, you know, it’s like we’re still dreaming,” his mother, Janet Loza told KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding. “Every day we wake up thinking that, you know, the nightmare, but wake up to the same thing. He’s not home.”
The Brookshire Police Department said Rodriguez was found lying in the parking lot of the Willow Springs Apartments.
Officers received the call around 7:03 p.m. on August 30th, and found Rodriguez dead.
At this point, it appears that no one was around as Rodriguez took his final breath.
“That was the hardest thing because he was probably trying to ask for help, but nobody was there to help him. Nobody was there,” Loza said.
A suspect has yet to be identified in this case. Police did say it appears to be an isolated event.
His family is still trying to figure out why he was even at the apartment complex to begin with.
“We don’t know what he was doing here. Nobody knows,” Loza said. “We don’t know why he was here. We don’t know nobody here.”
The even bigger question: Why did someone shoot Rodriguez?
“Like, what did he do to you for you to kill him? What did he do for him to take somebody’s life,” Loza pleaded.
Captain John Miller with Brookshire police said they have good images from the crime that they’re following up on.
“Our sympathies go out to all those impacted in this senseless act of violence,” said Brookshire Police Chief James Hines. “We encourage anyone who may have information to contact the Brookshire Police Department (281-375-5000) or Waller County Crime Stoppers (979-826-8266).”
A GoFundMe page to help the family describes Juan as a cheerful young man who loved riding horses and spending time with his family and friends.
“We want justice for my brother,” said Abigail Cortez. “He was a very loving son, brother, uncle. He was a loving soul.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Waller County CrimeStoppers at 979-826-8266.