Durango, Mexico – A holiday trip to Mexico turned tragic for a Chicago family after three members were killed and a 13-year-old boy was critically injured in an attack near Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango. Jason Peña, the only survivor, is currently receiving medical care in Texas after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
The Peña family had driven from Illinois to Durango to celebrate Jason’s birthday with his grandfather. Jason, who was set to turn 14 on December 29, was traveling with his father, Vicente Peña, and uncle Eduardo Peña. On the night of December 27, the family left in a black pickup truck with U.S. license plates but never returned. Authorities estimate the family was ambushed around 10:00 p.m. in Las Palmas, Santiago Papasquiaro. Jason’s father, uncle, and a relative named Antonio were found dead at the scene.
Jason Peña was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to Texas. The Durango Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the teenager remains in “delicate health.” While no official motive has been determined, authorities have suggested that robbery is the likely cause.
The Peña family had undertaken the 3,000-kilometer journey to spend the holidays in Durango, a trip meant to bring joy and family bonding. Instead, the tragedy has reignited concerns over tourist safety in Mexico, particularly in areas known for violent crime. The U.S. State Department currently advises caution for those traveling to Durango due to the presence of organized crime, specifically prohibiting government workers from entering regions west of Highway 45, the same area where the Peña family was attacked.
Julie Contreras, a Chicago lawyer and spokesperson for the family, has called on the community to pray for Jason’s recovery. In a video shared on social media, Contreras emphasized the urgency of securing advanced medical care for the boy, stating, “He is fighting for his life, we have to get him home.” She also highlighted the challenges of repatriating an injured U.S. citizen from Mexico, appealing to U.S. authorities for an emergency air ambulance to ensure Jason receives appropriate care.
“His father is dead, his uncle is dead. It could be Jason today and tomorrow it could be any one of us,” Contreras added, underscoring the emotional toll of the attack.
This incident adds to a growing list of American citizens killed in Mexico in recent months. In June, Gabriel Trujillo, an American botanist and PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley, was murdered in Sonora. In May, the triple homicide of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their friend Jack Carter Road in Baja California shocked international observers. Additionally, the attack on four Americans in Tamaulipas in 2023, which left two dead, drew attention to the dangers posed by criminal organizations operating along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The wave of violence has strained diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, with American officials continuously voicing concern over the safety of travelers. Despite efforts by Mexican authorities to combat organized crime, incidents such as the Peña family tragedy highlight the persistent risks that remain for tourists and expatriates.
The investigation into the murders is ongoing, with the Durango Prosecutor’s Office collaborating with U.S. authorities to seek justice. Mexican officials have vowed to pursue all leads to ensure accountability for the crime.
Meanwhile, Jason Peña’s family and supporters remain hopeful for his recovery as he receives medical treatment in Texas. The community has rallied around the teenager, with calls for greater awareness and stronger measures to protect American travelers in Mexico.
Durango, Mexico – A holiday trip to Mexico turned tragic for a Chicago family after three members were killed and a 13-year-old boy was critically injured in an attack near Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango. Jason Peña, the only survivor, is currently receiving medical care in Texas after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
