Los Angeles: On Sunday, February 1, 2004, at about 11:20 p.m., 21 year old Manuel Hernandez and a second victim described as a 19 year old male Hispanic were standing in the 2600 block of West Boulevard. A black Chevrolet, Camaro with three male Hispanic occupants drove by. A few minutes later the same vehicle, with only one occupant, passed again. The victims noticed two male Hispanics walk up to them and shoot at them. Hernandez was killed and the second victim was not injured.

The suspects entered the vehicle and drove away westbound on 28^th Street from West Boulevard.

The motive for this incident appears to be gang related.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Southwest Area Homicide Detectives Don Walthers or Jeff Nolte, at 213-485-2417. On weekends and during off-hours contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Sandra Escalante, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.