September 30, 2024 | By: Alexa Villegas

This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class.

Antonio “Chato” Nunez Jr. was an optimistic individual and for a 16-year-old teen growing up in Oakland, California exceptionally mature. He was an inspiration to his family, especially for his older brother Mario Hernandez. Mario recalls, “When we talked about the future, I was surprised and taken back by his foresight. He always had a positive attitude. He knew what he wanted to do even before I did at his age.”

Mario often thinks about all the great things his brother could have done. Antonio’s dreams ended on December 4, 2009, when he was shot to death in Oakland, California. His murder has never been solved and remains a cold case.

Antonio wanted to be a doctor, he wanted to save lives and help others. His biggest inspiration was his mother. She taught him what perseverance and hard work looks like; she taught all her children that; a single mother of five. Mario said, “Antonio often spoke about how he wanted to ensure that his mother was taken care of when she reached her golden years and that he personally would be his mother’s personal caretaker”.

Antonio grew up in Oakland, California. He was the fourth of five children, four boys, and one sister. Mario recalls pushing Antonio on the swings as a kid at Precita Park and later Antonio playing soccer at Sobrante Park. Antonio had always been an active kid. “He loved the swings,” said Mario. Mario recalled when he took his daughter to the park, that all those memories of Antonio smiling while Mario pushed the swing came back.

Antonio was known by his friends and family as “Chato,” his nickname since he was a toddler because of his pudgy nose. He loved to play soccer and compete with his brothers from a very young age. He played on the Tigers soccer team out of Oakland, where in fact all his brothers played and even his sister attempted to play at one point. At his funeral, his coffin was covered with many of his team member’s jerseys as it was lowered to the ground. His brother Mario could only put on his Marine Corps cap while his brother was lowered into the ground. But soccer had always been a love for his family before and after his death.

When Antonio played soccer, he always played competitively, despite his opponents being bigger, stronger, aggressive, and faster, and used that to propel him to be better at the sport. “He always looked for a different approach,” said Mario. He showed grit, resilience, and a positive attitude no matter what the situation.

Antonio was popular in High School. His charismatic personality made him popular and he had many friendships. He was loved by the community, and at his funeral there were hundreds present.

As Antonio grew up, his dreams, aspirations, and hopes grew with him. While Mario was deployed in Afghanistan in 2008, he remembers speaking to him on the phone. Antonio told his brother his plans of going to college, joining the Marines, just as his sister and Mario did, and then going on to become a doctor. Mario recalls one specific conversation where he and Antonio agreed to go to college and Mario would become a Marine Corps Officer and then subsequently Mario the family lawyer and Antonio the family doctor; unrequited dreams.

Even though Mario was six years older than Antonio, he saw Antonio as a great source of inspiration. Mario continued his education after his brother’s death to honor and make Antonio proud. He currently holds a Master’s degree and plans to pursue his law degree.

Antonio was a happy teenager who loved his family deeply and was very family-oriented. Family unity was a core value for Antonio and his family. Mario recalls that every holiday used to be celebrated with food and laughter. Mario remembers Thanksgiving of 2009 as the best Thanksgiving the family ever had but also, unfortunately, the last time he would see his brother.

Mario had his digital camcorder with him that night and spent the evening filming videos. As he was scanning the rooms, he came across Antonio. He was smiling from ear to ear and glanced at the camera for a short moment, little did Mario know that that would be the last time he would see him. “Thanksgiving was never the same after that…,” said Mario.

Antonio had a colorful sense of style that matched his happy and charismatic personality. “For his birthday while I was deployed, I remember getting this sweater for him, weird colors, but I remember I got his wish list and getting it for him,” said Mario. He really wanted that sweater and he got it, said Mario. Mario recalls that when he went home on leave, he would be met with playfights with his brothers that ended up with broken walls, windows, but ultimately laughter. This was their way of showing love. This is now bittersweet for Mario to remember because he can no longer continue to create such memories with his brother.

On the night of Friday, December 4, 2009, Antonio took his last breath. He was fatally shot multiple times outside his mother’s home in the 9400 block of Sunnyside Street, Oakland, California. According to reports, “He survived for 26 minutes before he died,” said Mario.

Antonio had gone to church with his younger brother and mother earlier that day. Later that night he visited his father’s house. Upon his return home to his mother’s house, he parked the truck in the driveway, met his uncle outside and began having a conversation while his younger brother was in the passenger’s seat. The Oakland Police Department reported that multiple gunmen got out of a van that was parked near the home and opened fire with impunity.

In the struggle with his last 26 minutes, he spent time with his mother, as she tenderly held him in her trembling hands, crying in despair as he stared at her, lacking words, unspoken words from his eyes holding on to a glimpse of hope. I love you Mom is what Mario imagines he must have spoken with his eyes.

That same night on December 4, 2009, at approximately 11 p.m., Mario received a call from his mother’s boyfriend. “Mario, Chato, esta muerto! (Antonio is dead!).” His mind went straight to denial – and he said, “Nah, Nah!.” He hung up the phone. He could not believe that his little brother was gone. Mario recalls that he had concerns about this when he was deployed. He grew up in Oakland. He knew the challenges. But it happened, to his brother. He drove from Yuma, Arizona to Oakland, California that night.

“The county death certificate says my brother died by handgun bullet wounds, but I can only picture that he died by sucking chest wounds,” wrote Mario in a letter about his brother’s death titled “26 minutes.” “If I was there that night, I could have done more…” says, Mario. Antonio’s murder is still unsolved and is one of many cases of people of color who collect dust in the warehouses and basements of the Oakland Police Department. The scholarly journal published, “Living with Impunity,” published by the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, in January 2020, discusses the inequality of justice for victims of color in Oakland, California. This journal highlights much of Mario’s and his family’s journey from Antonio’s death and their fight for justice.

Chato’s friends created a Facebook page in 2014 dedicated to remembering him. “The best way to keep someone alive is by sharing memories, relax in paradise Chato, you are EXTREMELY loved,” was written on the page. Mario states, “Requiescat in pace mei frater.”

Antonio’s family was significantly impacted by the murder. The family grew distraught and everyone was in pain in some form or another. Now, every year since December of 2009, on March 26th, Antonio’s birthday, and December 4th, his last day, his family and friends visit his grave to commemorate him, some from a distance, some vocal, some in silence, and some alone.

In commemoration, Mario wanted Antonio to be remembered as an Honorary Marine, to at least fulfill one of his brother’s dreams. He sent a letter to the local United States Marine Corps command in Alameda, California to ask the Marine Corps to commemorate his brother. “He would have been an exceptional Marine,” wrote Mario in his letter to the Marine Corps. His letter has yet to receive a response.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department at (510) 238-3744. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers USA at (800) 222-TIPS.

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