Devastated family members, friends and loved ones gathered Monday night at a memorial for 16-year-old Joel Mercado who was shot and killed over the weekend at a house party in Covina.
The deadly Aug. 16 incident unfolded at what some reports suggested was a back-to-school house party in the 600 block of East Camellia Drive, near Peachtree Lane that drew more than 100 teenagers, many between the ages of 16 and 18.
Officers with the Covina Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the location just after 10 p.m., deploying a helicopter over the scene and with K-9 units on the ground.
Paramedics rushed Mercado to a nearby hospital in critical condition where he later succumbed to his injuries and died before family members even knew what happened.
A gun was recovered at the scene and several individuals were detained and questioned, though they were ultimately released and it’s unclear if investigators have any leads in the case.
Dealing with unimaginable grief, Mercado’s mother gathered the strength to visit her son’s memorial for the first time Monday.
“It’s just so hard because we haven’t been able to see him at all,” the 16-year-old’s sister, Andrena Nunez, told KTLA. “We don’t have any updates. We don’t have any word from the detectives. I’m trusting that they’re doing their due diligence.”
Family members said the teen didn’t really venture out of the house much, that he attended online high school classes and spent the majority of his time with his large family, including his five siblings. He was especially close with his grandfather, they said.
“He was such a bright young boy, ready for a full life to live,” his uncle, Ruben Hernandez said through tears. “He enjoyed hiking with my dad and taking the dog for walks. He enjoyed cooking so much and he was always just smiling, making people happy.”
Frustrated at the seeming lack of progress in the investigation, family members are frustrated, his sister telling KTLA that she believes he was involved in an altercation at the party and was gunned down while he tried to leave.
“We didn’t get to say any goodbyes, we didn’t get to be there with him at all,” Nunez said. “He was alone.”
Family members have organized a GoFundMe to help lay their beloved young family member to rest.
Detectives with the Covina Police Department confirmed to KTLA that while there are likely dozens of witnesses to interview, no arrests have been made in the case.
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