Homicide Report > David Hernandez, 18

David Hernandez, 18

Died 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

7691 Bell Ave.

Hernandez was killed at the same place and on the same day as Christopher Baez.

Related homicides:

 
 

Follow the Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Updated: May 3, 2012 at 4:46 p.m.

 
 

32 reader comments about David Hernandez

You'r Information is wrong how sad! correct your self or investigate more! about the case before you give the LA times more information. I'm one of them family members and this is all wrong!

— melida Vaez
Feb. 29, 2012 at 3:59 p.m.

— melida Vaez; so what was reported incorrectly? You make an accusation but dont provide the story.

— syscom3
March 1, 2012 at 9:47 a.m.

what's wrong about this article is that they failed to mention that these "innocent kids" (aka Boxer and what was the other wanna-bee's moniker??) where associated and representing a rival gang in the neighborhood (rhymes with Chorencia), and for that, they suffered a fatal consequence. They got into a fight and were shot afterwards. Afterwards, these "innocent victims" friend's tagged and vandalized the whole street with their monikers and dissing the other gangs name... Then again, innocent victims they are called...

— the real story...
March 2, 2012 at 11:55 p.m.

melida Vaez

Since you know why don't you tell what happen.? when readers only see one side of a story we have nothing to base on

— absolutlykrazy
March 3, 2012 at 5:44 p.m.

I'm sorry for your loss Melida but there is nothing wrong with the report. I lived in this neighborhood all my life and I know people on both sides of the fence. The story is exactly as The Times Reported. I seen all the graffiti written all the over the place by the victims friends and it all points to what "the real story" states.

— Neighbor
March 6, 2012 at 10:28 a.m.

melida Vaez, care to comment on what "— the real story..." had to say?

— syscom3
March 6, 2012 at 2:47 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

This is so sad i will make sure to send flowers to the family

— Nasty 1
March 13, 2012 at 9:31 p.m.

True, they were involved in a fight and got the better of the other clowns involved, BUT yes they were some lil wack ass taggers that hung out with the Flowers. Which are considered to be future Flowers. And No, Flowers r not welcomed there. So what caused the fight, them dissing other people, led to them being popped-popped banged!! Just another day in the hood i call it. Shout out to the M's... Nice how the comment above mentions the suppose ably suspects and capitalized "FLOWERS"... Haha...

— Fk "A'z up"
March 15, 2012 at 6:34 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.

— wow!!!!
Family and friends always sugarcoat a thug's life. The person above you also knew them and thinks otherwise. Being that they were taggers, I would agree with — Fk "A'z up"

— Meck
March 16, 2012 at 11:06 a.m.

For "WOW" knowing sooooo much about these sweet innocent Loving children, the least they could have done is write their name instead of just a plain ole' simple "WOW"...

— mikey
March 16, 2012 at 6:34 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.

— Sorry .... so you're saying that people know who the killer is, but wont even tell the police?

That in a nutshell why these neighborhoods are violent wastelands, and will always be that way.

— syscom3
March 19, 2012 at 11:28 a.m.

Syscom3 police won't do nothing about it, and thats exactly why this neighborhood is the way it is. The police just want more killing so they can have paper work and less prisoners in jail. That's just sad but true.

— Sorry
March 19, 2012 at 5:53 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", 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.

Sad to see children become victims of this nonsense. Gangs are really pointless what are you guys fighting for territory you sure don't own. All you gang members are doing is endangering the life of innocent bystanders. Something needs to be done to get all these fools out the street. It's pretty sad how heartless people could come to this site and dare to post comments disrespecting. Come out the closet and stop being a coward if you have so much to say.

— Just Saying
March 20, 2012 at 1:03 a.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.

— Witness
And what was the original jumping at the store about? Rival gangs??

— Meck
March 21, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.

— Sorry .... that's interesting logic you have. The people wont help the police to identify and arrest the suspects. Then the very same people vote in public officials that do nothing about gangs, year after year.

And then the same people say the police wont do anything.

Look in the mirror. Thats who is to blame.

— syscom3
March 21, 2012 at 11:53 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.

MCP killed them. MCP are the ones who took over Mazapanes hood.

— Neighbor
March 27, 2012 at 9:41 a.m.

Good luck to the cowards!!! who did it! they sure will burn in HELL!!!

— GOD IS WATCHING YOU!!!
March 27, 2012 at 1:29 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.

- 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 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.

- Neighbor

It sounds like you are a part of this neighborhood's problem.

— Souleil
March 28, 2012 at 1:29 p.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.

"Their work is hard at many different levels, much harder than the majority of ordinary citizens may understand" this is such an ignorant statement. Please! Many of us have hard work and we are NOT constantly throwing it in peoples face of how "hard we have it" If you can't cut the police work than don't join the force.

— Jag
March 30, 2012 at 10:01 a.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.

Honestly people need to mind there own business and keep their mouth shut... thats rule number one. its crazy how everything is just put on blast like that. keep everything off the internet and keep on the street. less typing and more busting.

— eFe 3Ce
April 26, 2012 at 2:12 p.m.

RIP chavas....

— azt3ce
May 1, 2012 at 5:54 p.m.

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