Pedro Pablo Portorreal-Benzant was a beloved son, brother, and a devoted father to his 5-year-old boy. Born in Madrid, Spain, to parents from the Dominican Republic, Pedro, 26, moved with his family to North Carolina in 2014. Those who knew him described him as a wonderful, kind, and hardworking person who was not involved in gangs or trouble. He worked in furniture installation and centered his life on his job and caring for his son, who lived with him.
His mother, Ana Josefina Benzant Reyes, remembered him as the son who faithfully took her to church every Sunday. His family was adamant that he had no known conflicts with anyone and they could never have imagined his life would end so violently.
In the first few minutes of Sunday, September 27, 2026, Pedro was driving home with his son secured in the back seat. He had just left a family gathering for his girlfriend and had texted his sister to let her know he was on his way. At approximately 12:04 a.m., as he drove in the 1000 block of Goldfloss Street in Winston-Salem, a bullet tore through the rear of his car, striking him. His family later recounted the heartbreaking story told to them by his little boy: after the shot, Pedro looked back at his son and managed a smile, as if to reassure him that everything was okay.
When Winston-Salem Police Department officers responded to a report of gunfire, they found Pedro Pablo Portorreal-Benzant with a serious gunshot wound. They administered first aid until Forsyth County EMS personnel arrived and took over. Paramedics rushed him to a local medical facility, but his injury was too severe, and he was pronounced dead. His death was the city's 21st homicide of the year.
The Criminal Investigations Division of the Winston-Salem Police Department launched a homicide investigation. In initial statements, police said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident, but they did not release any information about a potential motive or any suspects. The lack of information left his grieving family desperate for answers. His mother and sister told reporters they repeatedly called the police for updates but were given no details about the investigation's progress. The family heard a rumor that Pedro may have turned onto a street where another incident was unfolding, putting him in the wrong place at the wrong time, but they had no way to confirm this. They hoped that surveillance cameras in the area might hold the key to understanding what happened.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Pedro's family faced the dual burdens of immense grief and practical challenges. They wished to bury him in North Carolina but were confronted with high funeral costs. They also began the difficult process of trying to secure a visa for his father to travel from Spain, where he lived, to say a final goodbye to the son he had not seen in 14 years. A GoFundMe campaign was started to help with the funeral expenses.
As of late September 2026, the investigation into Pedro Pablo Portorreal-Benzant's murder remained ongoing, with no arrests made. His family continues to plead for justice and for anyone with information to come forward. "I demand justice," his mother, Ana, stated through her pain. The Winston-Salem Police Department asks anyone with information to call them at 336-773-7700. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 for English speakers or 336-728-3904 for Spanish speakers.
