The Los Angeles Police Department has released body-worn camera footage documenting the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Eliar “Elias” Real Hernandez in the Westmont area of South Los Angeles. The incident took place earlier this month after officers searched for a suspect involved in a separate violent encounter.
Details of the Police Encounter
On April 3, just after 1 a.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting at a gas station located in the 11500 block of South Vermont Avenue. During their search, police identified a man matching the suspect’s description walking near 112th Street and Van Buren Avenue.
According to the LAPD, Hernandez produced an item and placed it by his leg. Police stated that the item was a handgun, which Hernandez then pointed at his own head as an officer exited their vehicle.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
An edited 13-minute video released by the LAPD shows officers pointing a weapon at Hernandez and repeatedly ordering him to “drop the gun” while he faced away from them. The LAPD describes the subsequent footage as showing Hernandez turning his head toward officers, at which point police opened fire.
Security camera footage included in the release appears to show an object falling from Hernandez, with officers continuing to fire as he crawled toward the item. While the security footage was unclear, a different body-worn camera angle captured what appeared to be a gun.
However, the family of Hernandez, including his mother, sister, and fiancée, have gathered at LAPD Headquarters to argue that the shooting was unjustified. Their attorney provided a cell phone video shot from a distance that the family claims contradicts the police account.
The family asserts that Hernandez was holding a cell phone rather than a weapon and that the cell phone footage does not show him turning before shots were fired. In that specific footage, his left hand appeared empty, though his right hand was not visible.
Criminal Background and Evidence
Detectives revealed that prior to the fatal encounter, Hernandez was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run collision at the Vermont Avenue and 105 Freeway off-ramp. Police say he then confronted and shot a driver in the 11500 block of South Vermont Avenue.
The victim of that shooting was hospitalized and later positively identified Hernandez as the suspect. Following the police shooting in Westmont, Hernandez was taken into custody and received CPR, but he died at the scene.
Investigation and Next Steps
The incident remains under investigation. Once the process is complete, the chief of police may make recommendations to the Board of Police Commissioners regarding the officers involved.
the Office of the Inspector General is expected to conduct an independent review of the event. This office is likely to send its own set of recommendations to the board for consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the individual killed in the shooting?
The man was identified as Eliar “Elias” Real Hernandez, a 40-year-old resident of Los Angeles and the father of a 17-year-old son.
What weapon was recovered by the LAPD?
Investigators recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic “ghost gun” that had a spent bullet casing jammed in the ejection port.
What events preceded the encounter with police?
According to the LAPD, Hernandez was involved in a hit-and-run collision at the 105 Freeway off-ramp and Vermont Avenue, and subsequently shot a driver in the 11500 block of South Vermont Avenue.
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