Family laments shooting death of Cicero man confronting liquor thieves: ‘To kill my brother over a bottle, no way’

CICERO, Ill. —  It’s been one month since the shooting death of Sebastian Rodriguez , slain while confronting thieves stealing a bottle of alcohol in Cicero.

The suspects remain behind bars, but the deadly shooting continues to impact the six siblings Rodriguez left behind and a grieving mother. Speaking to WGN News in Spanish, Ventura Florez said she and her family are devastated. Rodriguez was the oldest of seven siblings.

“It hurts us because I always looked up to him,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Sebastian’s brother. “He was a hard-working guy. My mom looked up to him because he would always say, ‘Mom, whatever you need, I’ll get it for you.’ And he got it for her. He was our number one role model.”

On June 18, the day of the shooting, Sebastian Rodriguez had purchased tickets to take his siblings to the movie theater. According to police, Sebastian died after encountering thieves who were stealing a bottle of alcohol at the Los Potrillos liquor store in Cicero.

Ventura Florez said her son was a pillar in the family who always sought to help loved ones and others.

“He always wanted the best for us,” Anthony Rodriguez said. “Food, clothing, he always got it for us.”

Anthony Johnson, 35, and Randell Brown, 31, each face first-degree murder charges in Sebastian’s shooting death. Both will be arraigned on Friday, July 26.

The shooting victim’s mother said she felt some relief after police arrested two people in connection with the crime, but she still wants justice to be served and suspects held accountable. Anthony Rodriguez echoed those sentiments.

“I want those guys to get full justice, which is for them to be locked up,” he added. “To kill my brother over a bottle, no way.”

A GoFundMe created for the family of Sebastian Rodriguez has raised $8,000 of its $10,000 goal.

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