A family vacation to Mexico turned tragic when a shooting left a 14-year-old Chicago boy fighting for his life and claimed the lives of his father, uncle and another relative.
Vincente Peña Jr., who had traveled to Durango, Mexico, with his teenage son for the holidays, was shot to death along with his brother, Antonio Fernández, and a 22-year-old relative who lived in the area. The teenager, who had just celebrated his 14th birthday, is in a coma after being shot in the head.
“He would have been celebrating his birthday with his family in Mexico, but instead, he is in critical condition from a gunshot wound to the head,” said Julie Contreras, an activist with United Giving Hope, who works with the organization. . family to bring him home, he told him 6abc Philadelphia.
Mexican authorities reported that the victims were found on Friday night next to their GMC truck, which had Illinois plates, on the side of a road. All had gunshot wounds to the head and the teenager was the only survivor.
The boy’s grandmother, María Elena Hernández, spoke from Mexico and shared details of the incident. “His grandfather told me he was beaten, so we think he tried to fight the bad guys. They shot him in the head. “They operated on him but he is in a coma,” he said in Spanish.
The family is desperate to bring the teen back to Chicago for medical care and safety. Contreras has asked the United States Department of State for help. “It is very heartbreaking and this family is currently living a nightmare. “We just want to bring them home so they are safe.” she said.
Authorities are investigating the incident, but the motive is still unclear. There is no public information to suggest whether the shooting was a targeted attack or a robbery gone wrong.
The tragedy underscores the dangers some families face while traveling abroad, and the Chicago community is coming together to support the family during this devastating time. The priority now, according to Contreras, is to ensure that the young survivor receives the care and safety he urgently needs.