Full Notification

On August 13, 2016 at approximately 11:51 A.M., Officers from the Covina Police Department were dispatched to a shooting investigation that occurred in the 800 block of W. San Bernardino Road. The victim of the shooting was shot while sitting inside a vehicle driven by his friend. After the shooting, the victim’s friend drove away from the location and into the parking lot of Faith Community Church in the City of West Covina. West Covina Police Department and the West Covina Fire Department responded to the church and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Because the initial incident occurred in the City of Covina, the homicide investigation is being conducted by the Covina Police Department.

The victim was identified as 20-year-old Isaac Urena, a Covina resident. Urena appears to have been killed during a robbery which occurred after a meeting was arranged on OfferUp, a popular online marketplace app.

As part of the investigation, Covina detectives arrested Adam Hernandez (21-year-old male from Covina) and Christopher Avila (20-year-old male from Covina). The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who filed Accessory to Murder Charge against Mr. Hernandez, but declined to file any criminal charges against Mr. Avila pending further investigation.

Based on information developed during the follow-up investigation by Covina Police Department Detectives, additional evidence against the suspects was discovered and the case was once again submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for criminal filing consideration. Based on the new evidence, The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed a murder charge (PC 187) against Christopher Avila and amended the charge against Adam Hernandez to include Murder (PC 187).

On 10-26-16, Suspect Christopher Avila was located at his residence and taken into custody without incident. He is currently being housed at the Covina Police Department without bail. Suspect Adam Hernandez remained in custody since his initial arrest and is being housed out the Los Angeles County Twin Towers. Both suspects are due to be arraigned at Pomona Superior Court on October 28, 2016.

Any information or questions regarding this crime, please contact the Covina Police Department Detective Bureau (626) 384-5628, the Watch Commander (626) 384-5665 or Crime Stoppers (800) 222-TIPS(8477). Refer to Covina PD case # 16-23623.