LUBBOCK, Texas — Kobe Pena was 18 years old when he died on New Years after an accident with fireworks. He was celebrating the new year with his family when a firework he was holding unexpectedly went off near his head.
This afternoon, friends, classmates and teammates gathered to honor his life with a balloon release. Dozens of red and black balloons filled the sky all in honor of Kobe. Some balloons had messages written to him expressing how much he is loved and missed. Brothers Nehmiah and Jamiah Martinez have known Kobe since they were young and were his teammates on the baseball team.
Baby surrendered at Safe Haven Baby Box in Lubbock
“He would bring joy, laughter and just anything you could think of….you know lighting up the room and just pure happiness…you know growing up together and being around each other it was just heartwarming,” Nehmiah said.
Losing Kobe has been difficult but those who attended the balloon release said gathering helped them begin the healing process…