Luis Hernandez was anxious about his kids shortly earlier than he was shot within the again exterior his enterprise close to MacArthur Park.
Now the 40-year-old could by no means stroll once more.
On April 6, Hernandez and his spouse had been closing up their retailer the place they promote Christian literature, keychains, backpacks and different gadgets when a automotive parked subsequent to his automobile.
Moments earlier, he’d positioned his three kids — ages 2, 4 and eight — into his automotive within the 700 block of South Alvarado Road as his spouse locked up the shop. It was shortly earlier than 9 p.m. As he walked again to his automotive, an argument broke out between an individual on the sidewalk and a bunch of individuals within the automotive parked subsequent to him.
He needed to maneuver his automotive and kids away from the place individuals had been arguing. As he bought within the automotive, somebody fired a gun from inside the grey Toyota Camry parked subsequent to him, based on the Los Angeles Police Division.
He was shot within the again, and the Camry drove away, police stated.
Hernandez was rushed to Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Middle, the place medical doctors defined to his household that the bullet had struck his backbone and he was paralyzed from the waist down, based on Nora Flores, Hernandez’s cousin.
Luis Hernandez was shot within the again exterior his enterprise close to MacArthur Park. Medical doctors say Hernandez is paralyzed from the waist down and no surgical procedure will assist.
(Courtesy of Nora Flores)
“They informed us there was no different surgical procedure they may do to reverse his situation,” Flores stated. “Now we have religion that with bodily remedy he can stroll once more. We’re attempting to be very supportive.”
The individuals within the Camry are described as a person and girl and had been final seen driving away, however there was no different details about the shooter or a motive, based on the LAPD.
“It simply occurred so quick,” stated Hernandez’s spouse, who doesn’t need her title launched due to security considerations, as the suspects haven’t been recognized.
Hernandez primarily works as a custodian and part-time on the retailer, which he opened about six years in the past, based on Flores.
“He’s a really beneficiant, sort one that is all the time prepared to assist. He’s a loyal father,” Flores stated. “Each time I see my cousin, I get completely satisfied, as a result of his vitality is all the time constructive.”
Hernandez arrived in Los Angeles in 2007 from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. In his first two years in the US, Hernandez lived with Flores’ household in L.A.
As a religious Christian, Hernandez volunteered most of his time at his church the place he helped set up musical occasions and actions. He met his spouse at church.
An undated picture of Hernandez together with his three kids, who had been within the automotive with him when he was shot.
(Courtesy of Nora Flores)
Flores can not perceive why somebody would shoot her cousin.
“He’s the furthest factor from somebody who may very well be confused for a gang member,” she stated.
She’s conscious that Hernandez’s life goes to vary ceaselessly. She arrange a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist pay for his medical bills.
Hernandez is the only supplier in his household. They’re attempting to maintain his spirits up, however he’s additionally attempting his finest to consolation his household.
“He’s telling us it’s going to be OK, he’s attempting to guarantee the youngsters,” his spouse stated.
Flores stated: “I’m simply considering, of all of the individuals on this planet, why did this must occur to him?”
