The family of a Huntsville man shot to death last week is saying that he was called an ethnic slur shortly before his assailant fired four shots at him at the pool in an apartment complex.
The family of José Federico Hernández, 23, is attempting to raise money to have him buried in Mexico, which was his wish, according to a GoFundMe page.
John Albert Torres, 19, was arrested on June 15.
Huntsville police said the arrest stemmed from a shooting following a verbal argument at an apartment pool. A family member was called and came to the pool, and the argument escalated to a physical altercation, which led to the shooting.
The victim was shot to death with a 9 mm handgun, according to court documents.
According to the family’s GoFundMe page, the shooting stemmed from Hernandez being Mexican.
“John Albert Torres made it his decision to end José Hernández life with no mercy,” a statement on the GoFundMe page reads. “Torres cold heartily gunned down a son, brother, uncle and a friend to many. José wasn’t murdered in private, he was murdered in a public area with 30+ people around who are all now living with trauma and or fear.”
According to the family, Hernández was at the pool when two women related to Torres told him to “speak English,” and “You better get out the pool before your back gets even more wetter.”
“José was only 23 years old with a birthday coming in July, he would have been 24. He came to the U.S. 3 years ago looking for a better life and not to mention his mother and other siblings were living in the U.S. already, he came to be with them. José is remembered by many and many are hurting,” the page states.
A preliminary hearing is set for July 3 at 1:30 p.m.
