Baby Garcia Murder Suspect Identified City Council Offers $50K Reward as Detectives Seek Public Assistance to Locate Him NR09504rf

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Van Nuys Division homicide detectives have identified a suspect in the tragic shooting of 4-month-old Andrew Garcia on Sept. 27, 2009.  Detectives hope a $50,000 reward offered through the Los Angeles City Council will help encourage public assistance in the case.

On Sept. 27, 2009, at around 1 a.m., the infant Garcia was in the company of his mother, father and family friends in the 14300 block of Kittridge Street in Van Nuys.  A family friend was seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle where he was feeding the child.  At the same time, another family friend was standing outside the vehicle when he became involved in a verbal confrontation between the family group and two suspects walking across the street.  Suddenly, one of the suspects fired at the group with a shotgun, striking the baby and two adults.

LAPD detectives have now identified a suspect and obtained a felony arrest warrant charging 23-year- old Ricardo Hernandez with the murder of the 4-month-old child.  Hernandez is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds.  He was linked to the crime by both physical evidence and a variety of tips and leads.

Detectives believe the motive for the crime is gang related and that Hernandez is still in the Los Angeles area.  He is also a known street gang member and should be considered armed and dangerous.

On Sept. 28, 2009, the Los Angeles City Council posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Garcia’s murder.  Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact LAPD Van Nuys Division homicide detectives at 818-374-0040.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.