SAN ANTONIO -- Days after San Marcos' first homicide of 2018, friends and family of the victim held a benefit for his family. 

The San Marcos community is still mourning just days after Matthew Jacob Rodriguez was murdered.

They didn't let their grief stop them from supporting their friend, who Marcie Martinenz considered as family.

“I loved him like he was my brother. I just wanted to pay it forward to Jacob’s family just because it’s the only right thing to do at this time,” said Martinez.

Rodriguez was a bouncer at the I Don’t Know Bar in San Marcos. He was loved by bartenders and patrons alike.

"He was just the biggest, nicest person I’d ever met," I Don't Know Bar Geral Manager Erika Pina said.

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That same bar held a benefit to raise money for Rodriguez's family. Their goal was to make enough money to give him a proper burial, one turkey plate at a time.

“I spoke to his aunt, and she told me that that was his favorite food so I decided just to go for it, all turkey everything," Martinez said.

The community support meant everything to Bryan Flores, Rodriguez's best friend.

“Christ will shake things up and now he’s bringing it all back together for everyone," Flores said. "It's an amazing feeling to see everybody here today."

It’s a reminder to his family of just how much their loved one touched the lives of others. His sister Meghan Nichols said she can feel her brother through the support of others.

“Even though he’s not physically here, we have so much help in people that we don’t even know but they knew Jacob and they’re coming by to check on us," Nichols said.

Marcie Martinez is still taking donations for Rodriguez's family. To find out more, contact her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/marcie.revada