Family Raising Funds To Pay Funeral Costs Of Wrestler Shot In Justice

JUSTICE, IL — It has been a week of long days for the family of a prominent Chicago wrestler who was gunned down last week near his residence in Justice. Now, the bereaved family of Richard “Tony” Rubalcava, 42, is raising money on GoFundMe to pay his funeral costs.

Just before midnight June 3, residents called 911 to report a lot of yelling and then shots being fired at an apartment complex in the 8100 block of 84th Place. When Justice police officers arrived, they found a gravely injured Rubalcava on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers applied life saving measures until the Robert’s Park Fire Department arrived. Rubalcava was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he succumbed to his injuries.

>>> Help Tony's Family in Their Time of Loss

No one is in custody at this time. Justice police say there is no threat to the neighborhood, and called the shooting an isolated incident. Anyone with information or video of the shooting is asked to contact the Justice Police Department Detective Division at 708-458-3191.

His family said that Rubalcava died protecting his young adult daughter, who summoned him outside where a large group of young people gathered outside his apartment. When Rubalcava came out to investigate he told his daughter to get inside. Gunshots were heard seconds later before Rubalcava had a chance to run inside.

“It was a group of young people. There was commotion,” his cousin told Patch, who did not wish her name to be used. “Somebody had a weapon. Some are saying they were in a car, or outside of a car. It’s under investigation. I wish I knew.”

Rubalcava who wrestled under the name “Superbad Santana Starks” was a man of many interests. He formed a wrestling tag team called “Body Count” with his partner and cousin, Daniel Allure, that competed in pavilions around the Midwest.

Since her cousin’s death, she said the family has heard from the professional wrestling community and fans who describe Rubalcava as a kind and generous man.

“I received a Facebook message from a mother who said Tony came to see her little boy as Superbad Santana Starks through Make-A-Wish,” she said. “The little boy passed, but she said she remembered Tony.”

He also developed a passion for BattleBots, competing in area tournaments. Rubalcava had also recently taken up airsofting, an activity he enjoyed with his 12-year-old son.

“He was hardworking, he raised three daughters on his own and shared custody of his son,” his cousin said.

Visitation for Richard “Tony” (Cazares) Rubalcava is from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, with a service to follow Wednesday, June 12, at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Highway, Wednesday, June 12. Arrangements are entrusted to Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc.

In lieu of flowers, Rubalcava’s requests memorials to his GoFundMe fund (“Help Tony's Family in Their Time of Loss”).