On July 15, 2020, Uriel Mendiola Zepeda, a 15-year-old boy from San Jose, California, was tragically killed in a shooting. Uriel was returning home from getting pizza when he was gunned down on Senter Road. The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m., and officers found him suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite their efforts, Uriel was pronounced dead at the scene. His death marked the 19th homicide in San Jose for that year.
Uriel was remembered by his family as an energetic and happy young boy who loved to dance and was very protective of his siblings.
The investigation into Uriel's death revealed that he was one of several victims of gun violence in San Jose during that period. Witnesses reported that two other people were also hit by gunfire in the same incident. Despite the ongoing investigation, no suspects have been arrested or publicly identified in connection with Uriel's murder. The San Jose Police Department stated that there was no indication that the shootings were connected, and they continued to search for clues and witnesses.
In the aftermath of Uriel's death, his family and friends set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the expenses of his funeral and to bring his body home from the morgue. The community mourned the loss of a young life and expressed their concerns about the rising violence in the city. The police urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward, offering a cash reward for tips that could lead to an arrest.
As of now, the case remains unsolved, and the investigation is ongoing. The lack of arrests and suspects has left Uriel's family and the community seeking justice and answers for the senseless act of violence that took his life.
