It was a tough Thanksgiving Thursday for the family of a teenage boy who was shot to death last week, the victim of gang violence.
But a group of Long Beach firefighters took it upon themselves to make the day a little brighter, by preparing and delivering a holiday feast for the family, all 80 of them.
14-year-old Eduardo Rodriguez was shot and killed when he opened the front door of his house last Wednesday. Police think gang members were targeting another member of the Rodriguez family, and killed the boy instead.
Firefighters from Station 19 borrowed the big kitchen at Long Beach Memorial Hospital to prepare the dinner for the large family.
"We're cooking for 80 people today," Long Beach firefighter Wayne Cheney said. "They're having family coming in from Mexico, Colorado. They're coming from all over."
The traditional menu included turkey, dressing, vegetables and potatoes.
The family was surprised and touched by the firefighters efforts.
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"It was actually shocking because we never expected somebody, I mean, completely strangers trying to help out. It's overwhelming to see how much love my brother was able to share, that other people wanted to help out," said Yesenia Rodriguez, Edurado's Sister.
Eduardo's Funeral is scheduled for 6 P.M. Friday evening, and he will be buried on Saturday.
Anyone with more information about the killing was asked to call police Detectives Malcolm Evans or Todd Johnson at (562) 570-7244. To send an anonymous tip via text or e-mail, go to www.longbeach.gov/police.
