Family Marks One Year Since Luis Rodriguez Died At Theater In Moore

It's been one year since the death of Luis Rodriguez.

Saturday, February 14th 2015, 10:53 pm

By: News 9


It's been one year since the death of Luis Rodriguez. He died outside the Warren Theater in Moore while in police custody. His friends and family gathered Saturday for a rally in his honor at the theater.

The family said they haven't been back to the Warren since the 2014 tragedy.

2/25/2014 Related Story: Cell Phone Video Released In Moore In-Custody Death Case

Valentine's Day will never be the same for the family of Luis Rodriguez. 

Dressed in heart red shirts, they gathered with friends along the sidewalk outside the Warren movie theater.

"Today was my tragedy, and today I lost my love, but tomorrow, I don't want anybody else to go through the same thing," said Luis' wife of 22 years Nair Rodriguez.

“Yes, we're born to die because it's a natural thing, but not the way that my husband died.”

It was last year the night of Feb. 14, when Luis, his wife Nair and daughter Luinahi went to a movie at the Warren, when a fight broke out between mother and daughter in the parking lot. That argument escalated to five officers getting involved and physically being on top of Luis Rodriguez, as captured on Nair's cell phone video.

Luis died shortly after at the hospital at 44 years old.

"I try to think positively but having those images, that's not the last memory I want to have of my dad," Luinahi said in tears.

“I can't even go to a movie without thinking of him, and that was our thing, we used to go to movies every Tuesday.”

Luinahi, like many at the rally, were stunned all the officers involved were cleared of any charges. 

6/20/2014 Related Story: DA: Moore Officers Clear In Death Of Luis Rodriguez

State Rep. Mike Shelton recently filed a bill that would call for the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office to investigate officer-involved civilian fatalities.

The Rodriguez family said it is collecting signatures for a petition asking the FBI to open a full investigation. 

1/22/2015 Related Story: Family Of Luis Rodriguez File Civil Suit Over Death Outside Warren Theater

"If we can at least create some kind of action that brings about change in the laws and in the ways cops are trained, then I think we've done something to honor the life of Luis Rodriguez," said Samuel Wargin at the rally.

With heart balloons in hand, the family sent them and their love to the sky.

"He left like he lived, he left trying to make peace with the people he loved, he was just a peacemaker," Luinahi said.

The Medical Examiner reported Luis Rodriguez died from cardiac arrhythmia due to physical restraint.

The family said it is currently suing several agencies involved including the Warren Theater, The City of Moore, Moore Police Department and the Midwest Regional Medical Center.

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