31-year-old man shot and killed while getting gas in Van Nuys
Authorities were asking for the public's help in finding a suspect who shot and killed 31-year-old Rene Hernandez, a resident of Panorama City.
Hernandez was getting gas at a 76 Gas Station in the 7200 block of Woodman Avenue in Van Nuys when a man approached him and opened fire.
When paramedics arrived to the scene, they discovered Hernandez had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics provided medical support, but Hernandez was pronounced deceased at the scene.
LAPD Valley Homicide Bureau Detectives told CBSLA's Tena Ezzedddine that the suspect approached the victim, fired multiple shots and then ran away to a parked pickup truck, that was described as being dark and having a light top. The suspect then fled in the vehicle.
Detectives also said they believe that the crime is connected to a gang.
"I just heard like 5 gunshots, like pow, pow, pow," Rocky Rodriguez said. "I brushed it off, at first, thinking maybe it was just fireworks but, no, somebody was shot."
At the scene, police found several bullet casings and a cellphone near the 31-year-old victim.
Family members of Hernandez told CBSLA that he owned a tow truck service and was picking up diesel fuel.
Anyone with information related to this crime, or may have seen the pickup truck, is asked to call the LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide unit at 818-374-9550 and can ask for Detective Rene January or Detective Benny Sadeh.
