NORTH HILLS : Wachs Offers Reward in Woman’s Killing

Police on Tuesday asked the public for help in arresting a man they believe killed an innocent North Hills mother in the cross fire of a drug-related shooting.

Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs has offered a $25,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of Renee Hurtado’s killer.

“The killing in cold blood of a 21-year-old mother cradling her 19-month-old daughter is one of the most heinous crimes I’ve heard of,” said Wachs, speaking at a news conference at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Station.

“Obviously, the arrest of ‘Lil Man’ is not going to bring Renee Hurtado back, but it’s going to stop him from striking again.” Detective Dan O’Hanian said Hurtado’s suspected killer, who gunned her down outside a North Hills liquor store June 11, has been identified as 20-year-old Chaveliaee Hammond. Hammond’s street name is ‘Lil Man.’

Hammond, who has also been known to use the last name of Bland, frequents the Panorama City area and parts of the West Valley, O’Hanian said.

The detective said the suspect is also a known drug dealer at the corner of Van Nuys Boulevard and Plummer Street in North Hills, where the shooting occurred.

On the evening of June 11, Hurtado made a purchase at a liquor store at that intersection and returned to her car, where her daughter, sister-in-law and niece were waiting.

Just as Hurtado put her daughter on her lap, gunfire erupted from the front of the car. Two stray bullets tore through the windshield, striking Hurtado. The gunshots were apparently intended for a man hiding behind Hurtado’s car.

“The shooting might very well have been about who’s going to deal drugs in the area,” O’Hanian said.

Police believe the suspect may be trying to flee the area and hope the reward money, secured by Wachs in a City Council vote Tuesday, will inspire anyone with information to call detectives.

Hurtado’s family was also hopeful.

Anyone with information on the crime or Hammond’s whereabouts is asked to call Van Nuys detectives at (818) 756-8377, or after hours at (818) 756-8383.