Joel Mercado Obituary, Death; Family names 16-year-old killed at Covina party, seek answers

Joel Mercado Obituary, Death – A family in Covina is heartbroken and seeking answers after the tragic death of 16-year-old Joel Mercado, who was fatally shot while attending a back-to-school pool party over the weekend. The incident took place late Saturday night, just after 10 p.m., in a residential neighborhood near East Camellia Drive and Peachtree Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

The sudden and violent loss has left family members devastated, with many unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of the shooting. In the days following the tragedy, friends, neighbors, and loved ones have come together to honor Joel’s memory, creating a growing memorial of candles, flowers, and heartfelt tributes at the site. The display reflects the grief and shock felt not only by the family but also by the community, which is struggling to come to terms with the killing of such a young life.

Joel’s sister, Adrena Nunez, expressed the depth of her family’s pain in an interview with Eyewitness News. She revealed that Joel had attended the party with a friend but that his family remains in the dark about what exactly happened that night. Through tears, she described the family’s anguish at not being able to say goodbye or be present with Joel during his final moments.

“It’s just hard because we don’t know what happened. We weren’t there. We didn’t get to say any goodbyes, we didn’t get to be there with him at all. He was alone… and I think that’s just what’s really hurting… all of us,” Nunez said. “He didn’t have any family. We’re all about family. We have a big family and he was just all alone.”

Her words capture the heartbreak of a family left reeling from unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The idea that Joel faced his final moments without loved ones by his side is a painful thought that continues to weigh heavily on them.

As the investigation continues, police have yet to release details about what led to the shooting or provide information about any potential suspects. No arrests have been made, leaving the family with few answers and growing frustration. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in bringing clarity to the case.

The Covina Police Department continues to investigate, but for the Mercado family, every day without answers brings renewed grief. Their calls for justice highlight the senselessness of losing a teenager who should have been preparing for the school year and looking forward to the future.

For now, the family is leaning on one another and the support of their community as they cope with Joel’s loss. The memorial stands as both a tribute to the young life taken too soon and as a symbol of a community’s shared mourning. With so many unanswered questions, the family continues to search for peace and hopes the investigation will eventually bring them the clarity and justice they desperately need.