A story for every victim

Mariana Franco, 23

Mariana Franco, 23, was shot and killed early Sunday Aug. 24, 2014, in the 1400 block of Celis Street in San Fernando, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. 

Franco was riding in a car with her parents and two siblings when she was shot about 5:50 a.m., according to investigators. Franco died at the scene. 

The family had been driving to early morning Mass when the shooting occurred. Both parents were also shot and injured in the attack.

Investigators believe Franco was one of three people killed in a one-hour shooting spree that morning in the Pacoima-San Fernando area. 

Michael Planells, 29, was shot and killed as he was searching for cans to recycle in the parking lot of the Sylmar Recreation Center at 13109 Borden Street about 6:35 a.m. Gloria Tovar, 59, was shot and killed about 6:45 a.m. as she sat in her car, waiting to drive a friend to church, in the 12900 block of Filmore Street in Pacoima. 

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has charged Alexander Hernandez, 34, of Sylmar, with five counts of capital murder and 10 counts of attempted murder in connection with the apparently random shootings.

Prosecutors say Hernandez shot at 15 people in the San Fernando Valley between March and August of 2014, killing five and injuring eight. 

Hernandez is also accused of killing Sergio Sanchez, 35, as he was driving home from work early in the morning of March 14, 2014, near the Roxford Street offramp to the 210 Freeway, and Gildardo Morales, 48, as he was driving to work in Pacoima on Aug. 21. 

— Jeanette Marantos

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