Community gathers to remember, honor 7-year-old killed last week

Family, friends gather on city's West Side to remember Iris Rodriguez

SAN ANTONIO – The West Side community crowded San Fernando Street on Monday night to show support for the family of Iris Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, 7, was shot in the head last week while she and her mother were walking down that same street.
Hundreds of people showed up for the vigil.

The parents of Iris Rodriguez prayed for her.

"My daughter touched everybody's heart here," Iris’ father said.

Viola McMichael said she had never met Iris, but what happened broke her heart and she wanted to be there to show Iris' family her support.

"I have granddaughters," McMichael said. "And, it's heartbreaking that her life was taken in such a short time and I don't like when people say, "It's her time" No, it's not her time."

"People come out here and get off their cars and hug us and they don't know who we are," Josephine Juarez, Iris's grandmother, said. "That support, I feel love from everybody. That's why I'm saying it's not the community anymore... It's like family."

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus was among those on hand.

"We're working this case very, very hard. Nonstop," said McManus. "So, we will eventually close this out and hand it to the DA for prosecution."

But Juarez said that doesn't fill the void they have right now.

"My baby was a beautiful child that they took too soon," Juarez said.

After Sunday’s fundraiser, according to Juarez, the family now has enough money to bury her granddaughter the way they want to and she is inviting everyone to the visitation which is set for Sunday, June 12th, at the Castillo Mission Funeral home from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Rosary is scheduled for Monday, June 13, also at the Castillo Mission Funeral Home, at 7 p.m.

Mass for Rodriguez will be held on Wednesday, June 14, at Christ the King Catholic Church, at 10 a.m.

Interment is at First Memorial Park.


About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.