Natalie Hernandez, a 14-year-old Hispanic girl from Dallas, Texas, tragically lost her life on February 12, 2018, in a drive-by shooting. She was with three friends in a car parked near Umphress Park and Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up alongside them and opened fire. Natalie and a 16-year-old boy were shot, and despite being rushed to Baylor University Medical Center, Natalie succumbed to her injuries.
The other boy survived, but the two remaining passengers in the car were unharmed.
The Dallas Police Department launched an investigation into the incident, reviewing surveillance videos from surrounding businesses to gather clues about the suspects and their vehicle. Witnesses described the suspects as four men in a dark-colored car. The community was deeply affected by the tragedy, with students at nearby W. W. Samuell High School, where Natalie was a freshman, expressing their grief and confusion over the senseless act.
Two weeks after the shooting, Dallas police arrested two men, George Salazar and Ernest Salazar , in connection with Natalie's murder. Both were charged with murder and held on a $500,000 bond. The investigation continued as detectives sought to uncover the motive behind the shooting and identify any additional suspects. Crime Stoppers offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible.
Natalie's family and friends held a candlelit vigil in her memory at Crawford Park, where they released 14 balloons to honor each year of her life. The community came together to support the grieving family and called for justice for Natalie. Despite the arrests, the question of why Natalie and her friends were targeted remained unanswered, leaving her loved ones searching for closure.
The tragic loss of Natalie Hernandez highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Dallas and the impact it has on families and communities. Her bright and cheerful personality, remembered fondly by those who knew her, continues to be honored through memorials and the pursuit of justice for her untimely death.
