Teen-Ager Charged in Van Nuys Slaying

An 18-year-old gang member was charged Monday with the slaying of a Van Nuys man who was shot when he tried to aid his girlfriend, who had been shoved down during a robbery attempt, Los Angeles police said.

Lamarr Deon Cooks of Pacoima is scheduled to be arraigned today in Van Nuys Municipal Court on a charge of murder in the Oct. 27 death of Fernando Hernandez.

Police said Hernandez and his girlfriend had just gotten off a bus about 7 p.m. and were walking in the 15400 block of Vanowen Street in Van Nuys when they were approached by two men. One of the men grabbed the woman’s purse and shoved her down.

As she was falling, Hernandez moved to catch her and police said his action prompted Cooks to pull out a handgun and shoot him in the head. Police have not named a second suspect.

The slaying prompted the Los Angeles City Council to offer a $25,000 reward--one of the highest in recent years--for information leading to an arrest. Councilman Joel Wachs called the killing of Hernandez, who worked as a machinist, “one of the cruelest and cowardly acts” and asked for the public’s help in solving the case.

But detectives said little information came in after the reward was posted Nov. 5, and it was unclear whether the arrest of Cooks will result in awarding of the money. No one has claimed the reward.

Detective Phil Morritt said Cooks was arrested at the Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho in Castaic, where he had been held since Oct. 31 as a suspect in an unrelated assault on a peace officer. Detectives interviewed a person who said Cooks discussed the slaying with him.

Police declined to identify that person.