Kristal Pena, a 28-year-old woman from Corpus Christi, Texas, tragically lost her life on March 17, 2020, during a shooting at Molly's Irish Pub. The incident occurred during the bar's annual St. Patrick's Day party. Pena was fatally shot in the head and upper body, and she died at the scene. Another woman, Ana Pena, Pena's mother, was also shot but survived after being taken to a local hospital.
The suspect, Roberto Fuentes, a 28-year-old man, was arrested shortly after the shooting
following a short foot pursuit. Fuentes was charged with one count of murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He later pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Kristal Pena and 20 years for the aggravated assault of Ana Pena. The sentences were to be served concurrently.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was not a random act of violence. Fuentes had an outstanding warrant for a previous DWI case at the time of his arrest. The Corpus Christi Police Department continued to interview witnesses and search for the weapon used in the shooting.
Kristal Pena is remembered by her family, including her two sons and a daughter, as well as her mother, step-father, sister, and brother. Her funeral services were held on March 25 and 26, 2020, at Saxet Funeral Home in Corpus Christi.
The case brought attention to the importance of bar security and the need for measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. The community mourned the loss of Kristal Pena and sought justice for her untimely death.
