SAN ANTONIO – For Jonathan Alderete’s parents, Robert and Lisa Quinn, their son was a unifying force in their family. At just 35 years old, Alderete was known for his love of family gatherings and his efforts to maintain harmony among loved ones.
Tragically, those cherished memories are all that remain after Alderete was shot and killed while playing basketball at Hemisfair Park in August. Robert Quinn expressed his heartbreak, stating, “A life was lost over a basketball. For it to be over a basketball is just, for a lack of better words, pathetic.”
According to the San Antonio police, the incident unfolded when Alderete and his friends were enjoying a game at the park near the Tower of America. A dispute arose when another group took one of their basketballs, leading to a tragic confrontation.
Days later, police arrested 23-year-old Isean Hardeman and charged him with murder, setting his bond at $250,000. For Lisa Quinn, the loss of her son is still difficult to process. “Those thoughts come to me and I’m just like he’s gone. I miss him so much,” she shared.
Alderete was not just a son; he was a devoted father to eight children and a friend to many. His family remembers him as someone who would always strive to reconcile differences among friends. “It didn’t matter if his friends were upset with each other, he would always try to get them to make up and come together,” Robert recounted.
The Quinns fondly recall Alderete’s sense of humor and his frequent request for Big Red, his favorite beverage, whenever he visited home. Robert mentioned that his son was on the brink of starting a new job, highlighting the promising future that was cut short.
During the shooting, one of Alderete’s sons was present. Although he was unharmed, the family worries about the lasting impact of witnessing such a traumatic event. “I know he’s taking it really hard because he was there,” Robert said. “I saw a boy turn into a man in a matter of moments.”
Recently, the San Antonio Police Department released surveillance footage of a person of interest related to the case. The video showed a man entering and leaving a nearby Denny’s shortly before the shooting. The suspect is described as being between 20 to 24 years old, around 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing red shorts and a black hooded sweatshirt. Authorities confirmed that the person of interest came forward, but it remains unclear if he will face charges as the investigation continues.
Despite their immense grief, Alderete’s parents are focusing on their faith and the memories of their son. Lisa Quinn has chosen forgiveness over anger, sharing a poignant message with those responsible for her son’s death: “To the people that did this to him. I forgive them. I forgive them, but will I forgive what they did to me? No.”
