Police announce $75,000 reward in killing of Van Nuys auto mechanic

The LAPD last week announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of two suspects in the killing of a 22-year-old business owner in Van Nuys about a year ago.

On Dec. 6, 2018, Osvaldo Hernandez, 22, was hanging out with a friend shortly before 10 p.m. in the 7300 block of Vista Del Monte Avenue when one or more people walked up and began shooting at them without provocation, police previously told The Times.

Both Hernandez and the friend were wounded. Hernandez died at a hospital. 

Family members described Hernandez as a responsible man who was saving his money to invest in a home. Hernandez ran an auto repair shop and worked part-time delivering oil to other shops. 

“He was full of life,” Aldo Hernandez, Osvaldo’s older brother, previously told The Times. “He was not content to just be in the house and sit down and watch TV.”

Police released additional information about the two suspects on Nov. 25. 

The first male is described as a Latino teenager who is 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-7 with a “youthful appearance” and a “round” head with no facial hair. The teenager, who weighs around 130 pounds, was seen wearing a black beanie and a dark-colored “Pro Club” hooded sweatshirt.

The second suspect is a 22-year-old Latino who is about 5-foot-9 and weighs about 180 pounds. He was also wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and had a light mustache. 

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (818) 374-1936 or (818) 374-1941. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.