Family wants justice for teen's death

AUSTIN (KXAN) - 16-year-old Jorge Medina Jr. died Nov. 9 after a large fight on Uphill Lane near Riverside Drive the night before.

Medina's girlfriend, 16 year old Ana Ramirez was present when the incident happened.

"We were just chillin and he was telling his friends they're going to try to jump me, they're going to try to jump me," said Ramirez.

She says things took a terrible turn when a group came from behind a fence and proceeded to attack them. Ramirez was able to escape the group and get into a car. She then went to help Medina but she says it was too late.

"They were beating him and so I drove back up here and by the time I got back up here they were already gone and I just told his friends to put him in the car and we drove to the hospital," said Ramirez.

Homicide detectives are currently identifying and interviewing witnesses.
The case took a turn Saturday morning when a home next door to the location of the fight burned down.
Austin police won't say if the cases are connected, but they are working with the Austin Fire Department in the investigation.

"Cops are doing what they can and we just have to wait," said family member Suzanna Rodriguez. "Hopefully they find the people that did this. It's very wrong to do this to my cousin he was a 16 year old, him and his girlfriend, and it's very hard to deal with."

Dozens of family and friends met at the scene of the incident to hold a candle light vigil Saturday night. The family has set up a fund to help pay for funeral arrangement at any Bank of America in town, if you would like to donate you are told to mention the name Maria Huitron or Jorge Medina.

Sunday a benefit meal will take place at the Autozone on Riverside Drive at 2:00 p.m., where family members will be selling food to help with expenses.

Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or CrimeStoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" plus your message to CRIMES.

Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to an arrest or charges being filed.

This is the 27th homicide of the year in Austin.