Full Notification

Arleta.  Detectives have released an image of the shooter who killed Nester Hernandez as he closed up his business on Woodman Avenue last Monday night.

“It’s apparent the shooter appears suddenly from the victim’s right,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “There’s no real confrontation, just an immediate assault.  It’s deliberate, premeditated and tends to show it’s a grudge.”

The 34-year-old store owner was shot four times and died at the scene.

The suspect was wearing an over-sized white jersey and a white baseball cap with a dark brim.  Witnesses said he appeared to be Hispanic and in his thirties.  The video clearly shows him firing a shotgun.

Police did not release the video out of respect to the victim’s family.  “Suffice to say, the shooting is graphic and disturbing.  This is the best image we have of the suspect,” Lt. Vernon explained.  Police hope that anyone who knows this suspect personally will recognize him from the image.

Detectives also released a second image of a woman seen entering the tattoo shop immediately following the shooting.  They believe she is the nearest eyewitness to the shooting and would like to talk to her.

Anyone with information related to identifying the shooter or the female witness is urged to call Detective Efren Gutierrez, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9948.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

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