Joel Mercado died in a fatal Covina shooting.
Fatal Covina shooting death of Joel Mercado.
Gathered Monday evening were Joel Mercado’s family, friends, and other loved ones at a memorial service. The teenager, who was 16 years old, had been shot and killed during a house party weekend event in Covina.
The incident that led to his death occurred on August 16th. Reports suggested the gathering was a back-to-school party held at a residence located in the 600 block of East Camellia Drive, situated close to Peachtree Lane. This event attracted a large number of teenagers, primarily aged between 16 and 18.
Covina Police officers received a report about gunfire shortly after 10 p.m. They dispatched a helicopter to the scene for an aerial view and sent K9 units to search the ground level for evidence.
Emergency medical technicians provided rapid transport to Joel Mercado. He was taken to a nearby hospital in a critical medical condition. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, he later passed away from his wounds. Family members were not present to receive any initial information about what happened.
Police authorities secured the area and recovered a firearm from the location where the shooting took place. Several individuals present at the party were temporarily detained for questioning. However, they were subsequently released without formal charges. As of now, investigators have not released any specific leads regarding the incident.
Dealing with profound sorrow, Joel Mercado’s mother found the emotional fortitude to attend her son’s memorial arrangement on Monday. It was her first time visiting such a gathering in relation to his death.
A photograph displayed at the memorial shows Joel Mercado, aged 16, following his death on August 16, 2025. (Source: KTLA)
Another image captures Joel Mercado, 16, with his extended family in an unspecified date photograph. (Source: Adrena Nunez)
Photographs show teenagers departing a Covina home following an alleged shooting at a gathering held there on August 20, 2025. (Source: RMG)
Andrena Nunez, Joel’s 16-year-old sister, conveyed her frustration to KTLA news. She expressed the difficulty of not having been able to view her brother’s body and the lack of communication from the investigating detectives. Despite this, she expressed her trust that authorities were conducting a thorough probe.
The family shared memories that Joel did not often venture far from home. His education was conducted remotely through online high school classes. He spent the majority of his time within the care of his large family structure, which included five siblings. He shared a particularly close relationship with his paternal grandfather.
A relative, Ruben Hernandez, the uncle of the deceased, described Joel during an emotional interview. He characterized his nephew as a bright and promising young individual, eagerly anticipating a full life experience. He mentioned Joel’s enjoyment of outdoor activities such as hiking with the uncle’s father and taking their family dog for walks. Hernandez also noted Joel’s passion for cooking and his generally cheerful demeanor, which often brought happiness to those around him.
The family’s frustration grew as time passed without significant updates from the Covina Police Department investigation. Joel’s sister, Andrena Nunez, voiced her personal belief that her brother was involved in an argument at the party. She suggested he was subsequently shot while attempting to leave the premises.
Expressing feelings of helplessness, Nunez lamented the inability to say a proper goodbye. She mentioned how the family did not have the opportunity to be present with Joel during his final moments, describing him as being alone.
In response to this tragic loss, Joel’s loved ones initiated a fundraising campaign through a GoFundMe page. The purpose of this online collection was to assist with the financial requirements associated with his funeral arrangements and related expenses.
Covina Police Department investigators informed KTLA media outlet that the ongoing inquiry involves questioning numerous potential witnesses. Sources indicated there are likely many people who observed the incident who have not yet been spoken to by law enforcement. Despite the high number of potential people to interview, no formal arrests have been made in connection with this fatal shooting case.
