Sherman Oaks : Brothers Arrested in Freeway Shooting

Police are holding two men on suspicion of attempted murder after they allegedly chased a car on the freeway and fired at its occupants.

Two brothers, Francisco Hercules and Hector Hercules, both of El Monte, are being held at the Van Nuys Jail in connection with the shooting, which occurred about 10 p.m. Sunday, LAPD spokeswoman Cherie Clair said.

Hector Hercules was driving his car erratically near Haskell Avenue and Vanowen Street in Van Nuys, in a lane next to a car driven by an unidentified woman, police said.

The woman tried to escape by entering the San Diego Freeway, police said, but the suspects followed and got in front of her car.

Clair said Francisco Hercules, from the passenger seat, starting firing shots at the woman’s car. To avoid getting shot, the victim exited the freeway at Sepulveda Boulevard, but the men followed and shot at her car again near the intersection of Dickens Street and Sepulveda, according to police.

Mario Villafuerte, 32, of Van Nuys, a passenger in the victim’s car, was shot once in the lower body. He was transported to Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center, where he was treated for a minor gunshot wound, police said.

Police said a witness at the scene picked up the weapon allegedly used in the attack and turned it over to the officers.

Francisco Hercules was arrested at the site of the shooting while his brother fled the scene. Hector Hercules turned himself in at the El Monte Police Station at 1 p.m. Monday.