BELLEVUE, Neb. (KMTV) — The mother of one of the Sonic shooting victims is now speaking out, recalling the moment she found out her son was killed.
Angela Pastrana said it’s a mother’s worst nightmare. She learned her son, Nathan was involved in a shooting while he was at work.
“I kept texting him, calling him and telling him I heard what’s going on,” Pastrana said.
She spent hours trying to reach Nathan, but says his phone was turned off.
It was hours later at 3 a.m. when she received a life-changing phone call from police, breaking the news that her son was one of two people shot and killed.
“I sometimes hear him in my head and I hear him saying, “Mom, I’m fine,” Pastrana said. “I hear him saying, 'I love you guys. I’m fine.'"
Pastrana has not yet come to terms with the death of her 22-year-old son.
“It kills me that he was going to work just like every other day and he didn’t go home this time,” Pastrana said.
Nathan was one of two victims killed that night. 28-year-old Ryan Helbert also lost his life in this senseless shooting. Now, the families are waiting for more details from law enforcement, and Angela says her emotions have not hit her, yet.
“I don’t know what to expect when I see him,” Pastrana said. “I shouldn’t think this way, but I am trying to prepare myself for the worst. Am I going to see my son with a face? Where was it? Where was the injury? I have no details."
She says the only thing keeping her going is staying strong for Nathan’s siblings and family.
“He was very humble. He was selfless. He would go out of his way to do whatever he could for you,” Pastrana said.
Angela says Nathan loved music and could often be found writing songs and playing his guitar, especially Jimi Hendrix or anything from the '70s.
“I tell him that he wanted to be a super star,” Pastrana said. “He says he didn’t, he just wanted his music to be heard. His voice. His songs to be heard.
According to Angela, Nathan’s body will be taken back to Texas where he will be buried next to his grandfather.
The two other victims who were severely injured in the shooting, Zoey Reece Atalig Lujan and Kenneth Gerner were taken in critical condition to the Nebraska Medical Center for treatment.
