WHAT:
The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with information in the shooting investigation of Jesus Hernandez and Robert Orozco.

WHEN:
Friday, March 12, 2004
4:30 p.m.

WHERE:
In front of Hollenbeck Police Station
2111 East First Street

Los Angeles: On Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at about 5:22 p.m., Robert Orozco, 34 years of age, was returning to his parked car at the Pico Garden Market, located at557 South Clarence Street. As he was getting into his car, a small gray compact vehicle with two male Hispanic suspects approached from the south and the passenger suspect fired several shots from a location northbound Clarence Street several hundred feet from the original shooting location. Twenty-year-old Jesus Hernandez, a passenger in another vehicle that was traveling northbound Clarence Street was struck in the head by one of the bullets. Jesus was innocent bystander who had nothing to do with the shooting.

Both victims were transported to White Memorial Hospital by private vehicles.

Robert Orozco was treated for a single gunshot to his right lower back and released. Jesus Hernandez is listed in critical condition and is currently on life support systems.

This is the second time a similar tragedy has struck the Hernandez family. On October 8, 2000, ten-year old Stephanie Raigoza was struck and killed by a stray bullet from a gang drive-by shooting. Stephanie was the cousin of Jesus Hernandez and that shooting took place just a few blocks from the incident.

Command Staff from the Los Angeles Police Department, Elected Officials and Community members will be at the news conference to make a special plea to the community to help stop the senseless acts of violence.

The public’s assistance is requested in solving these Attempted Murders. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Hollebeck Homicides Detective, at 323-526-3140. On the weekends and during off-hours contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-525-8601.

This news advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.