A talented artist with a beautiful smile and a wonderful sense of humor, Nick Louis Pena was a loving son, husband, and father who was just beginning his adult life. The 20-year-old was born in San Antonio, Texas, on May 17, 1987. An avid sports fan, Nick also had a passion for music and drawing. He attended Clark High School before graduating from McCollum High School in 2006. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharayah Williams Peña, and they welcomed a son, Jaidon Louis Peña. Remembered for his beautiful smile, Nick was deeply loved by his family, which included his mother, Lisa Suarez, his father, Nicky Pena, and his two brothers. He was a young man with a promising future, cherished by those who knew him for his kindness and creative spirit.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, August 26, 2007, Nick’s life was tragically cut short on the East Side of San Antonio.
He was shot and killed in what police believe was a targeted attack, though a specific motive has never been publicly released. The shooting happened while Nick was with another person, who was also shot but survived their injuries. The details of what led to the gunfire remain unclear, and authorities have not released descriptions of any potential suspects or vehicles involved. Nick was pronounced dead at the scene, his death leaving a void in the lives of his young wife and child. The incident was one of dozens of homicides that occurred in San Antonio that year, leaving another family to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a loved one.
The San Antonio Police Department responded to the scene and immediately opened a homicide investigation. Detectives processed the area for evidence and spoke with potential witnesses, including the individual who was wounded in the attack. Despite their initial efforts and some early leads, the case failed to yield enough evidence for an arrest. As time passed with no new information coming to light, the investigation eventually went cold, leaving Nick’s family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of injustice. The lack of resolution has been a heavy burden for his family to carry for more than a decade.
Years after his death, the pain of Nick's unsolved murder continues to deeply affect his loved ones. His family has struggled with the lack of closure and the knowledge that the person responsible for his death has never been held accountable. The ripple effects of the tragedy inspired his cousin, Felisha Gonzales, to take action. Motivated by the loss of Nick and other family members to violence, Gonzales established a non-profit organization called Families of Murdered Victims - San Antonio. The group provides resources, monetary support, and grief counseling to other families who find themselves navigating the complex and painful aftermath of a homicide.
Through her work, Gonzales has spoken about the immense void left when a loved one is killed and the desire to turn that tragedy into something positive. The organization serves as a testament to the enduring love for those who were lost, honoring their memory by helping others facing similar circumstances. It is a legacy born from heartbreak, aimed at providing the kind of support her own family needed in the dark days following Nick's murder. The group has become a vital resource in the San Antonio community, offering a space for healing and advocacy for victims' rights.
The case of Nick Pena’s murder remains an open and unsolved investigation with the San Antonio Police Department. As of October 2019, his family was still waiting for a breakthrough that might lead to an arrest and finally provide them with a measure of peace. Investigators continue to ask for the public's help, believing that someone in the community may hold the key to solving the case. Even a small, seemingly insignificant detail could be the missing piece that allows detectives to move forward. The family continues to hope that justice will one day be served for Nick, and that they will finally have answers about why his life was taken so soon.
