The Homicide Report

A story for every victim

The Homicide Report

David Hernandez, 18

Feb. 8, 2012

David Hernandez, an 18-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the 7600 block of Bell Avenue in Florence-Firestone, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Gunshots were reported about 3:45 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Authorities were called and Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. According to coroner's records, he suffered several gunshot wounds to his body.

Christopher Baez, a 17-year-old Latino, was also shot. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Coroner's records show he died from gunshot wounds to his chest and left forearm.

During the investigation, detectives learned Hernandez and Baez were walking along Bell Avenue when a mid-sized car approached and one of the occupants began shooting.

Investigators said there were three Latinos in the car.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case.

Anyone with information about the killing or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times

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43 reader comments

syscom3, well then, please enlighten me on what exactly you are doing besides passing judgement. As for me, I currently volunteer at gang intervention programs, and have accepted a position at a prominent social work case management in the bay area. My CAREER is based on "practicing what I preach", how dare you try to belittle me in that way. Since I grew up in the South Bay with a supportive family and attended UCLA, my goal in life is to help those not as fortunate as myself. Your statement above just proves how sophomoric and selfish you are. Me and the majority of readers of this blog will agree, you are just plain wrong. Instead of taking a CJ101 class at your local community college (as you often suggest others do) maybe you should take more classes and educate yourself in sociology, psychology, and then think outside the box. Could be interesting. I DARE you.

— A June 13, 2012 at 11:09 p.m.

-A .... sorry to disappoint you, but I will continue to comment as much as I want, for as long as the editor of this blog considers my comments are worthy of being published.

"Charity begins at home". As such, I focus my efforts on my community. And since fighting gangs is a multi-faceted approach, I do my part where I see I have the most impact. And if you think that love and compassion has an impact on the scourge of gangsters, I invite you to practice what you preach. You do what you thinks will work. I and others will do what we think will work.

As for my harsh words for the victims of gang violence; if they are gangsters, then I will continue to harshly condemn them. They alone created the circumstances for their demise. And my comments about the do nothing elected officials? Why not? That's one of the benefits of a free republic!

— syscom3 June 11, 2012 at 5:36 p.m.

syscom3, I just wanted to say that I am really sick of reading your comments on this blog. You constantly put down victims of gang violence, elected officials who "do nothing" to stop the violence, etc. You make it a point to place the blame on the decisions of the individuals involved in gang violence, almost to a sickening obsession in which you get joy in denouncing their lives. You want change in the streets of LA? Why don't you DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT instead of trolling homicide reports ? Go out and volunteer in other communities, be an advocate for those involved in gangs to retract their lifestyle. That is what needs to be done to control gang violence in LA. It isn't as simple as these poor individuals making a choice for this lifestyle, this lifestyle was CREATED BY OUR SOCIETY. This is Los Angeles for f*ck sakes, there will always be gang violence due to sociological reasons beyond anybody's control. Only small changes made by the compassion of our fellow humans can change this gang violence. You are blind if you think every fatality in this type of manner was influenced by individuals. Your stereotypical, conservative, "holier than thou" views are ridiculous, not to mention your love of the 2nd amendment. Please shut up.

— A June 8, 2012 at 11:59 p.m.

Jag-

My comment was not made to assume whose job is harder nor it is to assess who might be cut out for it. However, while is true that working is hard, for most, we must also assimilate the reality that our jobs (non-law enforcement related) do not entail being shot, spit, exposed to the elements, kicked and even run over (just to point a few) on a daily basis. And definitely do not require for us to make life and death decisions under duress in a split second (this in itself is within a whole different level than, say, being exposed to the elements.) You might say that a Trauma/Emergency Physician may do so, but a Trauma Physician would not be under pressure of being shot at while trying to save that life, would they? That is what I meant when I said "Their work is hard at many different levels, much harder than the majority of ordinary citizens may understand."

My comment is intended to assist Sorry in understanding what might be going on with the murder investigation and to aid him in overcoming his negative biased views. His comment “… And get paid for doing nothing” is the basis to my “ignorant statement,” Jag. I’m hoping that Sorry, providing he is saying the truth, would not allow for his misconceptions to get in the way of pursuing justice for the murder of two, allegedly, innocent people and for the opportunity of putting away those thugs.

For the record, I’m not affiliated in any way to any Law Enforcement Agency.

— Souleil April 6, 2012 at 11:39 a.m.

- Sorry

If your are telling the truth with respect to your contacting the Police with your statement you must bear in mind that law enforcement could be/are:
1) still investigating these two murders
2) looking for more evidence against the shooter(s)
3) looking for more eyewitnesses to corroborate your statement

If you consider the two last items above, then you must understand how important it is for ANY eyewitnesses to talk to the Police. Many times, Detectives have a hard time arresting these thugs because eyewitnesses are too afraid to give their statement! Meanwhile, they continue on terrorizing their neighborhoods. Theoretically speaking, the Police can’t apprehend an individual just because of one given statement. There is much more needed to just press charges (formally accuse a person of a charge) and later ensure a successful conviction. Would you want for this thug to be arrested and find out a short time later that he was released because of insufficient evidence?

Do not allow for this crime to go unpunished. Keep contact with the Detective and let him know that you will be there when needed. That you are tired of this/these thug(s) and want them to go to prison for life, if at all possible.

I’m not defending law enforcement but I’m not going to fall for a prejudice idea about them either. Their work is hard at many different levels, much harder than the majority of ordinary citizens may understand. There is no denial of the fact that there are good and bad officers; But in this instance I may have to side with them. These neighborhoods are infested with thugs, and residents are too afraid to say much about what they see. Who knows, they might be afraid of saying anything because by doing so they might be helping their own family being incarcerated.

Know your rights and enforce them. Don’t just sit there and feel helpless. You could be a lot more powerful than these thugs , you are yet to find out.

— Souleil March 29, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.

- Sorry

If you think about the two last items above, then you must understand how important it is for ANY eyewitnesses to talk to the Police. Many times, Detectives have a hard time arresting these thugs because eyewitnesses are too afraid to give their statement! Meanwhile, they continue on terrorizing their neighborhoods. Theoretically speaking, the Police can’t apprehend an individual just because of one given statement. There is much more needed to just press charges (formally accuse a person of a charge) and later ensure a successful conviction. Would you want for this thug to be arrested and find out a short time later that he was released because of insufficient evidence?

Do not allow for this crime to go unpunished. Keep contact with the Detective and let him know that you will be there when needed. That you are tired of this/these thug(s) and want for him to go to prison for life.

I’m not defending law enforcement but I’m not going to fall for a prejudice idea about them either. Their work is hard at many different levels, much harder than the majority of ordinary citizens may understand. There is no denial of the fact that there are good and bad officers. But in this instance I may have to side with them. These neighborhoods are infested with thugs, and residents are too afraid to say much about what they see. Who knows, they might be afraid of saying anything because by doing so they might be helping their own family being incarcerated.

Know your rights and enforce them. Don’t just sit there and feel helpless. You could be a lot more powerful than these thugs, you are yet to find out.

— Souleil March 28, 2012 at 1:23 p.m.

First of all David nor Chris were gang members nor related to any gang so get that FACT straight and everyone is going to have there own stories and talk that's just how it is but please if your going to speak nothing but nonsense keep your stupidity thoughts to yourself. As for whoever said they know the driver in all honesty if you want justice for Chris and you KNOW exactly who it was speak up!!!have NO SYMPATHY for him/them nor what there family is going to feel because not at one moment did the driver nor the two cowards who couldn't handle a loss in a fight think about what you'd be going through.right? JUSTICE needs to be served for these two...and honestly people stop judging people off where they live i personally knew David and JUST BECAUSE he lived in Los Angeles doesn't mean he had to be a "gangster" he was 18 with a DREAM a dream that was going to come true!and now we don't even have the chance to see that happen because of some cowards who had to use a gun to feel a "winner" to feel there much more "better" lol some one who needs to use a gun is a little Bi*** if you feel so hard and proud and feel so manly about what you did MAN THE F**** UP and accept your consequence's!!oh wait exactly you wouldn't because your a COWARD!

— None of your business March 28, 2012 at 12:45 a.m.

Souleil, just saying. Cops know who they are too but they are not going to do nothing, this kids where not the first murders this coward did. And his still on the loose. Cops know who he is and won't do nothing about it. They just want for other gangsters to get him, or for him to kill more people so they can just do paper work. And get paid for doing nothing. Trust me I called and gave my testimony but they just don't give a f. That's why this neighborhood is the way it is. Oh and the jumping at the store was no rival gang fight it was because of a jealous broke as guy who didn't like David. Go to facebook and you'll see pictures this guys didt looked like gangsters. Christopher didn't had tattoos at all. Didn't dress like gangsters or nothing related to gangs. They just liked to party, dress with brand clothes, and enjoy life.

— Sorry March 21, 2012 at 3:33 p.m.

Sorry -

Don't you just feel sorry and sad for this victim Christopher, that you so much assure was not a tagger and his demise was just a casualty. If you have firsthand knowledge about this crime handle it wisely for your and everybody else’s well being. So as long as people live their lives afraid of speaking up about these or any other crimes will continue going on unpunished, and more victims might end up dead by the hand of this/these criminal(s). Pick up the phone and ask to talk to the Detective in charge of this case, you must know you can stay anonymous even if you are call to testify. You would simply need to state your own reason to stay completely anonymous i.e., you are a close neighbor of the alleged murderer.

Be the exception and not the rule.

— Souleil March 20, 2012 at 12:40 p.m.

"Sorry", u are saying that the family knows who did this to their Loved one but out of "respect" they don't wanna do anything back to the suspects? That is not called respect! It's stupidity for not respecting their Loved one and doing the right thing. Whether they know the family of the suspect or not, how the heck is that respect?! Goodness, some people sure are, i hate to say, but 'stupid' i guess! Respect? Ha! These people don't know the meaning of respect or in this case, Love. For the Love of ur so called Loved one, report these hoodlums to the police if supposeably u don't wanna see anymore innocent people dying. Bc according to u, these "cowards' killed ur innocent Loved one and sure as heck will have no problem doing it again... You "Sorry" have some respect for the victim and do the right thing!!

— John March 19, 2012 at 10:38 p.m.

Syscom 3
You wanted the correct information about the report and the accusation of Melinda. Here you go, the shooting was around 1:45pm Christopher was pronounced dead at the scene and David was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. They where walking and David got jumped outside the store of 76th st and crockett, David an Christopher won the fight. They kept walking and the other guys came back with two guns and block there way they had no where to go. They got shot and that's a big no, no, no. That's one rule inside you can't shoot from inside the car. They just rolled down the window and the driver was telling them not to shoot Christopher. But they still did. They tried to rum Christopher fell to the ground and David kept running and they follows him shooting at him. It's just sad how cowardly they killed them. So there you go you have all the 411. Need more feel free to ask.

— Witness March 19, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.

Sorry Meck but they where not taggers well at least not Christopher an I can put my life on that. He was just a kid with a future. But he came across with some low lifes who think they have power with a gun. He got killed for something he had nothing to do with it. He was born and raised and killed in this neighborhood. It's just sad the the two shooters had no sympathy. Even the driver knew Christopher. Every body knows who did it, it's just respect to the family that nobody has gone and done done justice. They don't want war going in this hood. They just want peace they don't want more innocent people to die. Just stop with all this envy and violence. It's just sad how they all went to the same school and lived in the same area and kill their own people.

— Sorry March 18, 2012 at 5:41 p.m.

(the real story).....Wow!! It is so sad to see the ignorance in some people. First and foremost who the hell are you to judge these kids? Did you personally know them?? I did. One of them personally He was the sweetest, most loving kid. He did everything he could to put a smile on your face and never liked to see you down or sad. His friend, AKA, boxer, coincidentally, he was a boxer, like in the ring (just in case "the real story" did not understand it). What is sad is that you have the audacity to put these kids down and slander their names and affiliate them with gangs not even knowing them and going on the basis that they live in a bad part of Los Angeles. You know many people have come out of these neighborhoods and succeeded in life, and unfortunately because some low life thugs, they will not have that opportunity. Another thing is that they have a family who love them, yes love, because that will never fade. Do you not have children, siblings, cousins, uncles??!! Take into consideration that they are still mourning this loss and will for the rest of their life. No parent should ever have to bury a child. You act like this is the 1st drive by you have heard about, or the first time it has taken innocent lives. So before you start to type something so ignorant, think, instead of typing on the basis of the BS, you THINK you know. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE....I BELIEVE THAT IS GODS JOB!!

— wow!!!! March 15, 2012 at 6:50 p.m.

The reason they got shot is because the shooters where cowards. First they jump David and since David knows how to fight, He fu¢ked them up. They(shooters) felt stupid so they went back and shot them. David and Chris where walking and the car pulled up to them with two shooters, rolled down the window and started shooting at them. David and Chris are not gangsters, they live in the area of Florence-Firestone, and by living in the area doesn't make them gangsters. I mean all the MCP people live in the area of FLORENCE-firestone too, does that make them from Florence gang too.. I guess so... Ibeen living in this area all my life and it's just sad how all the cowards need a gun to feel powerful.. Now in day they can't have a clean fist fight.. They are just bit¢hes with a gun. They can't handle to be losers.. Imagine three fighting against them two and they still won:)

— The real true story March 9, 2012 at noon