Ruben Rafael Hernandez Jr., a 15-year-old boy from Fontana, California, is remembered by his family as a beloved son and older brother whose sudden loss has left a deep void in their lives. His family described the immense pain of planning a funeral for their child and the struggle his siblings faced in comprehending a life without him.
The night of Monday, September 28, 2026, was shattered by violence in San Bernardino.
At approximately 2:28 a.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department received a report of a man with a gun in the 3000 block of North Alameda Avenue. When deputies from the Central Station arrived, they discovered a grim scene near the intersection of East 34th Street and Del Rey Drive.
Deputies located two male victims of a shooting. Ruben was found with gunshot wounds in the road on 34th Street. A second victim, an 18-year-old resident of San Bernardino, was found on the porch of a nearby home in the 3300 block of North Alameda Avenue, where he had managed to flee to get help. Both Ruben and the 18-year-old were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Tragically, despite medical efforts, Ruben succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The 18-year-old was hospitalized for his wounds; his condition was not immediately released.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail immediately took control of the investigation. Detectives canvassed the residential neighborhood, a community of single-family homes just east of the 210 freeway, searching for evidence and witnesses. The initial report mentioned a "man with a gun," but authorities did not release a description of a suspect or any details about a possible motive for the shooting. What led to the gunfire in the early morning hours remained unclear.
In the wake of the tragedy, Ruben's family was left not only with overwhelming grief but also with the financial burden of arranging his funeral services. A cousin, Erika Mosqueda, organized a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the stress on Ruben's heartbroken mother and the rest of the family. The fundraiser page stated, "Losing Ruben has changed everything for our family, especially for his mom and his siblings...This loss has left a deep space in our family, and we are trying to come together through that grief." The community also rallied in support, with a taco fundraiser held on Saturday, October 3rd, to help the family with expenses.
As of October 2026, the investigation into Ruben Rafael Hernandez Jr.'s murder is ongoing. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has not announced any arrests or identified any suspects in the case. Detectives are continuing to seek information from the public that could lead to solving the crime. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to the We-Tip hotline at 844-909-3006.
