“Chicago Fire” star Joe Minoso, who plays Joe Cruz, has revealed that his character is “completely reeling” after a brutal and shocking turn of events in Season 13. Cruz is now desperately trying to keep a dark secret from his closest confidants, especially Severide, a move that Minoso calls “the worst idea he could have had.”

The Bombshell Revelation:

• Flaco’s Return to Haunt Cruz: After 13 years, a dark decision from Cruz’s past has come back with a vengeance. In Season 1, Cruz made the ethically grey choice to leave gang leader Flaco Rodriguez for dead in a burning building to protect his brother, Leon. Now, Flaco’s cousin, Junior, has resurfaced, aware of Cruz’s actions, and has been blackmailing him.
• Bloody Shootout & Junior’s Death: In a shocking turn, Cruz was coerced into helping Junior with a heist that went terribly wrong. The situation escalated into a brutal gang shootout, leaving Junior dead and Cruz with a gunshot wound to his arm.
• Cruz is “Completely Reeling”: Joe Minoso confirms that Cruz is in a state of deep shock and panic after the traumatic events. He’s trying to “shove all of this stuff that was in the closet back in the closet as quickly as possible and pretend nothing happened.”
• Hiding from Severide: The most critical and dangerous part of Cruz’s current dilemma is his desperate attempt to keep the truth from Kelly Severide. Minoso highlights the irony: “He works with a fire cop. The guy is basically an investigator who cannot stop investigating at his own peril.” Severide’s keen instincts as an arson investigator mean he’s bound to suspect something.

Why This is Shocking News:

• Long-Buried Secret Explodes: For a character as morally upright as Cruz, this deep cut from his past, involving a death and now a violent shootout, is incredibly shocking. It shows the lasting consequences of difficult choices.
• Puts Firehouse 51 at Risk: Cruz’s attempts to hide a gunshot wound and his involvement in a gang-related incident could put himself, his family, and even the entire firehouse in grave danger if the truth comes out or if the other party involved (Moreno, who fled the shootout) comes looking for him.
• Tests Brotherhood: The decision to actively hide this from Severide, his friend and fellow firefighter, will undoubtedly test the strong bonds within Firehouse 51 and could lead to a major rift if Severide uncovers the truth on his own.

Minoso has teased that this “controversial storyline” will continue to unfold, showing Cruz making decisions he will “regret very hard” as he struggles to reconcile his actions with the man his family believes him to be. The question isn’t just if Severide will find out, but when, and what the devastating consequences will be for Cruz and Firehouse 51.