Authorities Thursday announced a $25,000 reward for help solving a shooting in the Westlake area earlier this year that left a father of three young children paralyzed.
The crime occurred April 6 about 8:45 p.m. in the 700 block of South Alvarado Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
At a Thursday morning news conference at the LAPD Rampart Station, police displayed security images of a silver Toyota Camry they say was occupied by the gunman, along with images of two “persons of interest” — a man and a woman believed to have been in the area of the crime.
“The victim noticed two females arguing in between his vehicle and a silver Toyota Camry that was double parked alongside his,” police said in a statement.
“The victim decided to move his vehicle, concerned that the fight would escalate, and for the safety of his three young children who were seated inside,” police said. “As the victim was walking to his vehicle, a suspect from inside of the silver Camry fired a single shot at the victim. The vehicle then fled the scene northbound Alvarado Street then eastbound on Seventh Street.”
The wounded man, identified as 41-year-old Luis Hernandez, was wounded in the abdomen area, and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down, police said.
“Detectives are seeking to identify and speak with … two persons of interest,” police said.
The male person of interest was described as Hispanic, about 40, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds. The woman was described as Hispanic, about 30, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. No description was released of the gunman.
The reward was offered by the Los Angeles City Council for information that leads to the identity, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for the crime.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Officer C. Marroquin at 213-484-3670, or 877-LAPD-247. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.