A family holiday in 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 and killed along with his brother, Antonio Fernandez, and a 22-year-old relative who lived locally. 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’s in a critical state from a gun wound that was inflicted to his head,” said Julie Contreras, an activist with United Giving Hope, who is working with the family to bring him home, told 6abc Philadelphia.
Mexican authorities reported that the victims were found Friday night next to their GMC SUV, which bore Illinois plates, on the side of a highway. All had gunshot wounds to their heads, and the teenager was the sole survivor.
The boy’s grandmother, Maria Elena Hernandez, spoke from Mexico, sharing details of the incident. “His grandfather told me he was beaten up, so we think he tried to put up a fight with the bad guys. He was shot in the head. They performed surgery, but he is in a coma,” she said in Spanish.
The family is desperate to bring the teenager back to Chicago for medical care and safety. Contreras has reached out to the U.S. State Department for assistance. “It’s very heart-wrenching, and currently, this family is living a nightmare. We just want to bring them home, so they can be safe,” she said.
Authorities are investigating the incident, but the motive remains 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 rallying to support the family during this devastating time. The priority now, according to Contreras, is ensuring the young survivor receives the care and security he urgently needs.