In brief
Jason Peña remains in critical condition after being shot in a violent ambush in Durango, Mexico, that also killed family members. The U.S. Embassy is involved in supporting the victims' families as investigations continue.
An American teenager is currently battling for his life after being gravely injured in a nighttime ambush that occurred on December 27 in Durango, Mexico. Jason Peña, a 14-year-old from Chicago, was shot in the head during the attack, which also claimed the lives of his father, Vicente Peña Jr., and his uncle, both U.S. citizens, along with a Mexican relative. Family spokeswoman Julie Contreras, who is also a pastor and the director of United Giving Hope, shared the distressing news during a phone interview.Witness reports indicate that Peña was discovered outside the vehicle hours following the attack, despite the severity of his injuries. "His heart was still beating," Contreras emphasized, showcasing the resilience of the young boy. Following the incident, Jason was airlifted to a medical facility in Texas, accompanied by his mother, who is a nurse and had flown in from their home in the Chicago area.On Wednesday, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy confirmed the tragic deaths of two American citizens in the vicinity of Santiago Papasquiaro, where the attack took place. The embassy expressed its commitment to assist the victims’ families, while Mexican authorities have initiated an investigation into the violent incident. State prosecutors in Durango are now handling the case, although they have not provided further details on their findings thus far.
