Victim's father speaks out, $15K reward offered for information leading to arrests
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are looking for two suspects in connection to the murder of an Army veteran in Little Village more than two years ago.
Police released surveillance video late Thursday afternoon.
The victim's father told ABC7 his oldest son was kind, thoughtful, and generous, and he has a message for the two suspects seen in the new surveillance video.
Jason Benitez, 30, was shot in the face and killed on the sidewalk near 30th Street and Homan Avenue in November of 2022.
It's been two years and nearly two months since the family of Benitez felt peace.
"I don't sleep at night," the victim's father, Alfredo Benitez, said. "I cry every night. I go to work, and I cry as I'm working because losing a son is very hard."
Now, Alfredo Benitez is finding hope after Chicago Police released images of two suspects allegedly connected to his son's murder which happened just days after Thanksgiving 2022.
One of the suspects is seen wearing a hoodie, glasses and a mask in multiple clips of video, apparently from a gas station. Police say two men, believed to be between 18 and 25 years old, were involved in the shooting.
"Let's get them out of the street," Alfredo Benitez said. "Let's get them out of the street. That's all I want."
His father said he was ambushed while walking his dog after working his night shift job at a downtown restaurant. He had just returned from serving four years in South Korea.
"I stay up every night... around that time because I know it was the time he was gone, that he was taken away from me," Alfredo Benitez said.
Now, some 780 sleepless nights after his son's death, Jason's father hopes the video can provide a break in the case.
"I'm anxious to meet them, so I can tell them on their face," Alfredo Benitez said. "If you need the help, [Jason] will give you the help that you need. He'd take his shoes to give to someone else. So why you kill someone like that?"
Alfredo Benitez said a $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is asked to call Chicago police. Anonymous tips can be made online.