Erika Pena, 31, of Odessa, Texas, was shot and killed on May 29, 2022, after intervening in a fight between two men at the Southwest Oaks Apartments. Pena, a mother of four, was found in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to her torso and was later pronounced dead at Medical Center Hospital. LaPaul Scaggs, one of the men involved, was injured but survived with non-life-threatening wounds.

Twenty-two-year-old Shemar Harrington claimed he acted in self-defense, but a jury found him guilty of murder, concluding his intent to shoot the other man transferred to Pena. Harrington was sentenced to five years in prison, a result that Pena’s family says fell short of justice. Family members described Pena as a loving, loyal person who was the glue of her family.

Anyone who knew Erika, was at Southwest Oaks Apartments that night, or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.