Natalia Chi
A Chicago family desperately searches for answers in the Humboldt Park shooting of their beloved father, who was known to put others before himself.
Loved ones and friends describe Ruben Olivares as an extraordinary person, a constant positive force in his community.
“This was one of our leaders and served, so it hit us hard,” said Vanessa Valentin, who works for community relations with 36th Ward Ald. Gil Villegas’ office.
At approximately 6:45 pm on January 18, Olivarez had just returned home from work when a shot was fired outside his home on the 3200 block of West Cortez Street.
Reuben’s wife was within earshot at the time.
Ruben Olivares’ brother, Ciro Olivares, said, “She yelled at him, ‘Watch out, they’re shooting.’ He replied to her, I was shot.”
Five days later, on the wife’s birthday and the day before she turned 37, the husband and father of the two girls died.
“He always said, ‘I live for my daughters, everything I do is for them.’ I was doing it,” said Chiro.
Olivarez worked for his family at the Logan Square bakery and his mother’s second bakery in Belmont Kuragin.
“A mother shouldn’t go through that,” Ciro said. I believe that bringing justice to my brothers will bring justice to them.”
Ciro and his family are calling on anyone who may have information about the death of a loved one to come forward.
“Until justice is served, we will have no comfort,” he said. “I think that is what gives us strength now.”
