Victim Murdered While Driving Through Candy Cane Lane Area in

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, December 27, 1999
On Saturday, December 25, 1999, at 10:00 P.M., West Valley patrol officers responded to a radio call, "Ambulance ADW just occurred at Lubao Avenue and Calvert Street". The responding officers discovered the victim lying on the sidewalk at the above location, and noted that he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted in gravely critical condition.
The investigation has disclosed that the victim, 24 year old Francisco Javier Hernandez, of Winnetka, was with his wife and 2 year old son, driving through the "Candy Cane Lane" area of Woodland Hills, looking at the homes decorated with holiday lights. According to the victim’s wife, the victim stopped their car, then suddenly exited the vehicle. The victim then walked across the street where the suspect, described as a male Hispanic, in his late teens to early twenties, wearing a white shirt, dark pants, and a black baseball cap confronted him. The suspect and victim appeared to argue, then began pushing each other. The suspect then shot the victim multiple times with a small caliber, semi-automatic pistol. The suspect fled on foot.

The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time and no suspects have been identified or arrested. The West Valley Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the matter.

Due to the very heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the scene, and at the time of the shooting, it is believed that additional witnesses may be able to provide more information in the matter. Anyone with information concerning the shooting is asked to call the West Valley Homicide Unit at 818-756-8546 during business hours, or Detective Headquarters Division at 213-485-2504 during nights and weekends.

"Candy Cane Lane" Shooter Has Been Identified

For Release 10:20 am PST
December 27, 1999