Updated at 5 p.m. July 19: Revised to include the name of the presenting organization.

Documentary filmmaker Byron Hunter wants to make sure younger generations know crucial elements of Dallas Latino history.

He points to the rise and fall of Little Mexico, the significance of Pike Park and the tragic murder of 12-year-old Santos Rodriguez, who was killed Russian-roulette-style by a white Dallas police officer.

Hunter, who grew up in Dallas, said he wants to use the upcoming 45th anniversary of Rodriguez's death as a teachable moment for the community. His latest documentary, Santos Vive, is set to release next week with a public screening, presented by the USA Film Festival, Tuesday, July 24, at the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff.

1 / 2Filmmaker Byron Hunter works with production assistant Debora Manusama at his sister's home in Oak Cliff.(Ben Torres / Special Contributor) 2 / 2Filmmaker Byron Hunter is in Dallas working on his latest project, Santos Vive, a documentary that details the history of Dallas' Little Mexico neighborhood.(Ben Torres / Special Contributor)

“My remembrance of Santos Rodriguez is vivid. It was a major and critical moment in my life. My dad came to me to say, ‘Something bad happened, son,’” said Hunter, who was 9 at the time.

It was July 24, 1973, when officers picked up Santos and his brother, David Rodriguez, for questioning about a theft of change from a soda machine. During the interrogation, Officer Darrell Cain held a .357 Magnum to Santos’ temple and pulled the trigger. His brother sat next to him the entire time.

The news led to widespread protests in the city. Cain was sentenced to five years in prison for murder with malice and was released after serving half the term.

In addition to the screening, events marking the anniversary include a community gathering at Pike Park on Thursday, July 19, and a graveside service Saturday, July 21.

Some feel younger generations aren't familiar with their community’s history. Rosemary Valtierra Hinojosa, 66, who was an activist and recent Southern Methodist University grad at the time of Rodriguez’s death, remembers the shock it created in the community. She is featured in Hunter’s documentary.

"I just couldn't believe that a child had been killed in that manner. It was unbelievable. It was like our Trayvon Martin, way before Trayvon Martin," Valtierra Hinojosa said.

“These younger people nowadays, they don’t know the history and part of it is our fault,” she added.

Hunter, who has lived in New York City's Harlem neighborhood for years, returned to Dallas about four months ago for the Santos Rodriguez project.

While Hunter was growing up, his father was an activist, and they lived in Oak Cliff in the early days of integration. Hunter said he’s been surprised by people in their 20s and 30s who live in Dallas but do not know about Rodriguez and Little Mexico. Holding a screening at the Texas Theatre was especially important to him.

“The reason we wanted to get into the community is because we realized that most of the community doesn’t know the history,” Hunter said.

The city of Dallas does not have a memorial to Rodriguez, but organizations working on the Santos Vive project want to change that.

Hadi Jawad, a member of the Dallas Peace and Justice Center, said the city should have something that “tells the story of Santos Rodriguez in a meaningful way.”

Human Rights Dallas, the Dallas Peace and Justice Center and Urban Aggregate will host the July 19 event with food and music to raise funds for a memorial and to give the family financial support.

“This is a Dallas story. This story belongs to everyone, and everyone should be involved in this,” Jawad said.

Details:

Santos Vive Project fundraiser at Pike Park, 6:30 p.m. July 19 at 2807 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas; graveside ceremony, 9 a.m. July 21 at Oakland Cemetery, 3900 Oakland Circle, Dallas; USA Film Festival public screening of Santos Vive and discussion with the director, 7:30 p.m. July 24, at Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas. Minimum donation, $5.