LAPD announces two $50,000 rewards in separate killings

Los Angeles police detectives on Wednesday announced two separate $50,000 rewards for the unsolved killings of a 45-year-old mother of two and a 26-year-old father of four.

LAPD Det. Paul Shearholdt said both cases lack significant leads.

In the killing of Roshon Dwayne Davis, detectives have had access to minimal security footage in the area. Though the stabbing occurred about 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 29 near a bus stop at South La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street, police are still looking for people to talk to about what they saw.

"Somebody had to have seen what occurred," Shearholdt said.

After Davis was stabbed, he ran to the back gate of his apartment building and collapsed. His wife held him in her arms until paramedics arrived.

"My son didn't deserve what happened to him," said Gwendolyn Porchia, his mother. She described Davis, a father of four small girls, as a family man.

In the killing of Nelva Hernandez, the only significant clue is surveillance footage taken from a nearby business that may show the vehicle from which the gunman fired. The vehicle, a light-colored Mercedes GL450 SUV, is shown turning onto Rodeo Road from Cimarron Street, where the March 29 shooting occurred.

At about 10:30 p.m., Hernandez was in a silver SUV with other family members, including her husband, her sister, two nieces and a 2-year-old toddler when she was hit by a bullet in the back of the head. The bullet was inches from hitting the child. Hernandez died a week later.

The gunfire, which is believed to be gang related, was intended for another person, whom police are also looking for, Shearholdt said.

Jose Antonio Hernandez, Nelva Hernandez's husband of 20 years, said the shooting is a tragedy.

"In seconds, our whole family's life has changed," he said. He begged someone to come forward

."These criminals do not need to be out on the street free," he said.

Anyone with information can call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Photo: Jose Antonio Hernandez addresses the media at the LAPD 77th Community Police Station to announce two $50,000 rewards. Hernandez's wife, Nelva, was shot March 29 and died a week later. Credit: Nicole Santa Cruz / Los Angeles Times

Photo, below: A still of surveillance footage showing the suspected vehicle that the gunman shot from. Credit: Los Angeles Police Department