CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A quiet parking lot outside a South Bay tavern turned into a scene of heartbreak and unanswered questions when 31‑year‑old Pablo Hernandez Jr. was shot in the early hours of December 28 and later died from his wounds at a trauma center, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
It was shortly after 1:30 a.m. when patrol officers raced to the 600 block of E Street in Chula Vista following a report of gunfire outside a bar. When they arrived, Hernandez was lying on the pavement with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries four days later, leaving friends and family devastated and searching for answers.
Investigators say Hernandez had been spending time with a group of people in the tavern’s parking lot when someone opened fire. Details about what led up to the shooting remain murky, and no suspect has yet been publicly identified or arrested. Police continue to treat the case as a homicide.
Chula Vista Police Sgt. Anthony Molina appealed directly to the community on Tuesday, saying detectives are trying to track down witnesses or anyone with information about the deadly encounter. The sergeant emphasized that even small details could help piece together what happened that night.
Police have not disclosed a motive for the killing, and it’s not yet clear whether Hernandez knew his attacker. Family members described him as a friendly and well‑liked man whose life ended far too soon, leaving a circle of loved ones to fill the silence left behind.
Local law enforcement is urging anyone who might have seen the shooting or who has video or other evidence to step forward. Those with information are asked to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888‑580‑8477 or use the P3tips mobile app to send anonymous tips.
In a community still shaken by the sudden loss, neighbors say they hope the investigation yields answers, not just for justice, but for closure in a case that has left many with heavy hearts and heavy questions.
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