Family of 15-year-old killed by stray bullet react to news that suspect is in custody
ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. — As Valeria Rodriguez’s family continues to raise money for her funeral, police say they have a man in custody in connection with her shooting death.
Charges haven’t been filed yet, but according to investigators, a gun was recovered from the suspect’s home, which police say is within walking distance from Valeria’s house.
With the suspected gunman off the street, the family of the slain 15-year-old told WGN News they feel some relief.
“I feel like the mom is way more at peace knowing that the person that did that to their daughter is now in custody and now we will seek some type of justice for her,” said Betzaida Garcia, Valeria’s aunt.
Valeria, who would have been entering her sophomore year, was shot and killed Wednesday night when a stray bullet shot through her Round Lake Beach home as she ate dinner with her sister.
“A lot of people throw a lot of firecrackers but this was no firecracker,” said neighbor Alfredo Duenas.
At this point, investigators say they don’t believe Valeria was the intended target and say the deadly shooting appears random. Police arrested the suspect after a search warrant was executed at his home.
“That’s scary because we would have never thought that somebody like that would live close to us,” said one person who did not wish to be identified by WGN News.
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As the search for answers continues, Valeria’s family said they are focused on honoring her life and raising money for her unexpected funeral.
“The GoFundMe that has been put up everything will go towards her funeral,” Garcia said. “We’ll also be doing a fundraiser at the park right by her house to raise more money for her parents.”
The family says the fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m. in Greenview Park, at the corner of Cherokee Drive and Golfview Drive in Round Lake Beach.
Funeral services will be held sometime late next week.
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