Vigil for Jersey City victims held just blocks away from site of shootout

A vigil was held in the rain for the four victims who were killed in Jersey City on Tuesday.

News 12 Staff

Dec 14, 2019, 3:38 AM

Updated 1,686 days ago

Share:

A vigil was held in the rain for the four victims who were killed in Jersey City on Tuesday.

One of the victims was Douglas Rodriguez, the store clerk at the kosher deli where the shooting happened. He brought his wife and daughter from Ecuador to the United States for a better life.

Rodriguez had a home in Harrison and he and his family attended church at Iglesias Nueva Vida in Newark.

His widow, Martha Freire, says she feels scared because of what happened to her husband.

"It's not unusual to see violence," Freire says. "It's because there's not enough love."

Members of the Jewish community say they consider Rodriguez a hero for shielding a customer from bullets as he ran to safety.

"In his last minutes he didn't see color, he didn't see race," Freire says. "He was trying to protect someone."

The other three victims of the shooting were Mindy Ferencz, Moshe Deutsch and Det. Joseph Seals.

The two suspects were allegedly targeting Jewish people. Investigators say the suspects had interest in the beliefs of a radical group known for anti-Semitism called Black Hebrew Israelites.

People in the area are now pushing against those feelings of hate.

"What I hope will change is that we create a dialogue that tells a story of how much we are more alike rather than how different we are," said Pan Johnson, of Jersey City.
Services for Douglas Rodriguez are set for Saturday in Paterson at 5 p.m.

Those who want to help his family can visit his GoFundMe page.
 
 
 
 
 
 


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program