Miñoso told NBC Insider, “This has been probably Cruz’s most controversial storyline…”
Few will deny that Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso) has one of the sweetest hearts at Firehouse 51, but a darker decision from his past has recently come back to haunt him on Chicago Fire.
Fans cannot forget the shocking Season 1 moment when Cruz chose to leave gang leader Flaco Rodriguez (José Antonio García) for dead. It was an ethically grey and jaw-dropping moment, and just as Cruz believed that was all behind him, Cruz got a visit from Flaco’s cousin and fellow gang member, Junior, 13 years later. Junior sought to settle the score by blackmailing Cruz with the knowledge of his role in Flaco’s death, dragging the firefighter to a stash house in Season 13, Episode 9 (“A Favor”) to do his bidding.
By the end of Chicago Fire‘s midseason premiere, Cruz had narrowly escaped a brutal gang shoot-out that left Junior dead, Cruz wounded, and viewers downright gobsmacked.
Who was Flaco Rodriguez on Chicago Fire?
A ruthless gang leader and brutal criminal, Flaco was a Chicago Fire villain from Season 1. After Cruz learned his brother, Leon (Jeff Lima), was entangled with Flaco’s street gang, the Insane Kings, he did everything he could to pull him out of that life. The gang’s leader, Flaco, demanded an unrealistic payment from Cruz to relieve his brother, rendering Cruz helpless.
However, when Cruz later discovered Flaco fighting for his life inside a burning building, a grim opportunity presented itself to the firefighter. Instead of rushing to Flaco’s side to help, Cruz announced the building was clear of civilians on his radio and shut the door behind him, leaving the gang leader to die. Cruz was left reeling by the harrowing decision, but throughout the years, he accepted it was his best bet for saving his brother.
Joe Miñoso talks about what Flaco’s Chicago Fire “return” means for Cruz
Who was Flaco Rodriguez on Chicago Fire?
A ruthless gang leader and brutal criminal, Flaco was a Chicago Fire villain from Season 1. After Cruz learned his brother, Leon (Jeff Lima), was entangled with Flaco’s street gang, the Insane Kings, he did everything he could to pull him out of that life. The gang’s leader, Flaco, demanded an unrealistic payment from Cruz to relieve his brother, rendering Cruz helpless.
However, when Cruz later discovered Flaco fighting for his life inside a burning building, a grim opportunity presented itself to the firefighter. Instead of rushing to Flaco’s side to help, Cruz announced the building was clear of civilians on his radio and shut the door behind him, leaving the gang leader to die. Cruz was left reeling by the harrowing decision, but throughout the years, he accepted it was his best bet for saving his brother.