Daniel Rios III, a 52-year-old Hispanic male from Joliet, Illinois, tragically passed away on March 9, 2018. He was a beloved father and brother, known for his big heart and willingness to help anyone in need. Daniel Rios III was a bartender at Izzy's Bar in Joliet, where he was fatally shot in the back of the head by Patrick Gleason, a 55-year-old man from Crest Hill, Illinois. The incident occurred just after 1 a.m.
on March 9, 2018, while several patrons were present in the bar.
Patrick Gleason entered Izzy's Bar wearing a mask and shot Daniel Rios III, killing him instantly. The bar owner's son, Thomas Izquierdo, was also shot in the stomach during the incident but survived his life-threatening injuries. The customers in the bar managed to pin Gleason to the ground and held him until the Joliet police arrived. Gleason was subsequently charged with five counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count each of aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
The case against Patrick Gleason has seen several developments over the years. Gleason, who initially hired a well-known Joliet criminal defense lawyer, eventually decided to represent himself in court. He has made various legal maneuvers, including a request to exhume Daniel Rios III's body from Woodlawn Cemetery for further examination, claiming that the state's handling of the evidence was flawed. Despite these efforts, the evidence against Gleason, including video footage from the bar's security system, has been compelling.
The community of Joliet mourned the loss of Daniel Rios III, who was remembered as a fantastic person who would give you the shirt off his back. His death left a significant impact on his family, friends, and the patrons of Izzy's Bar. The legal proceedings against Patrick Gleason continue, with the hope that justice will be served for the tragic loss of Daniel Rios III.
