Man Fatally Shot at Van Nuys Gas Station

Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA: A man was fatally shot at a gas station in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley early Saturday morning, June 11, 2022.

Los Angeles Police Department officers from Van Nuys were dispatched to a shooting call around 1:20 a.m. at the 76 gas station located at the intersection Woodman Avenue and Sherman Way.

When LAPD officers arrived at the location, they found one victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to render aid, but the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, said LAPD in a news release.

The investigation revealed the victim had arrived at the gas station and was approached by a male Hispanic, who produced a gun and fired multiple times at the victim, according to LAPD. The suspect ran to a pickup truck parked nearby and fled the location.

The description of the suspect vehicle was described as a Ford F-250 or F-350, lifted with large wheels, and blue in color with a white hood.

LAPD air unit was also dispatched to search the area for the vehicle. One vehicle matching the description was located in North Hollywood 20 minutes after the incident and one male with a shaved head was seen parking the truck into a house and running away from it.

Gang units were sent to the location on the 7800 block of Radford Avenue. Detectives believe this incident is gang related. No arrests have been made.

LAPD has identified the victim as Rene Hernandez, 31, a resident of Panorama City.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Bureau Homicide, at (818) 374-9550. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Video: Oscar Sol, Photojournalist / KNN