Robert Hernandez

A man is attacked after dropping off his child
On the evening of November 29, 1987, Robert Hernandez had just dropped off his 13-year-old son at his estranged wife’s home in San Antonio, Texas. The 35-year-old man was walking home afterward, accompanied by his brother and a friend.

As the three men passed through an alley behind a shopping center at 4900 West Commerce, they were ambushed by several men. The attackers, who police believed were between 20 and 25 years old, launched a brutal assault, using sticks and broken beer bottles as weapons.

When police officers arrived at the scene, they found Robert Hernandez in the alley with no vital signs. The medical examiner later concluded that he died of head injuries. His brother and his friend were also badly beaten and cut in the attack, but they both survived their injuries.

The investigation into the murder turned cold quickly, with no suspects identified. Decades later, in 2017, family members contacted police to request that they reopen the case. Homicide investigators expressed hope that new DNA technology, combined with tips from the public, could help them solve the crime and bring some closure to the family.

As of January 2017, the San Antonio Police Department's Cold Case Squad was actively investigating the murder. The case remains unsolved. Anyone who has information about the attack is asked to call 210-207-7635.