Arrest made in Panorama City shooting that left one dead, three wounded
An arrest was made in a fatal shooting that left one person dead and three injured that occurred in Panorama City on Aug. 3.
The suspect was identified by the Los Angeles Police Department as 37-year-old Luis Enriquez Hernandez, from Panorama City. He is a documented gang member, according to police.
The initial scene unfolded on Parthenia Street and Tobias Avenue, near the Sepulveda Recreation Center at around 2:30 p.m., where a three-car collision had just taken place.
As the involved parties exchanged information in the area, they were approached by an unknown gunman who opened fire on the group, striking four.
Detectives said after the shooting, Hernandez fled to Texas. With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Houston Violent Crime Task Force and Houston Police Department – North Crime Suppression Team, LAPD discovered he was staying in a residence in Spring Texas, outside of Houston.
One of the victims, now identified as 37-year old Sylmar resident Jonathan Santillano, was pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were wounded, two of which were taken to the hospital for treatment. As of Thursday, both were said to be stable. The fourth victim was treated for gunshot wounds at the scene.
Following the shooting, the suspect was said to have initially fled from the scene in what Los Angeles Police Department officers called a "newer BMW," though they have rescinded that statement.
Surveillance video from the Valley Indoor Swap Meet shows a man in a white t-shirt run across the street from the L Super Super Market waving his arms at the crowd before opening fire. He then fled from the scene back in the direction from which he came on foot.
Matthew Wilson, a Panorama City resident who was in the area during the shooting detailed what he witnessed on Wednesday.
"I noticed there was loud bangs, more of like, scattered shots," he said.
There was no additional information available on the suspect.
A memorial at the site of the incident grew overnight, with dozens of lit candles and flowers placed on the sidewalk.
CBS Los Angeles reporter Lauren Pozen spoke to Santillano's brother, Michael, on Thursday morning. He said that his brother leaves behind three children, aged 17, 8 and 7.
"I just started doing CPR first thing," said Michael Santillano. "He had two wounds, one to his chest."
He explained that Jonathan was not even involved in the crash that preceded the shooting, but that he had run over to help after witnessing the incident from the nearby car shop where he worked.
"He was not looking for trouble. Wrong place wrong time," Santillano continued.
Tuesday, Enriquez Hernandez was arrested and taken into custody. He will be transported to Los Angeles where he will be booked for the charges of Murder and Attempted Murder.
