Man, 21, Shot in Gang-Related Attack
A 21-year-old Reseda man, wounded in what police said was the second of two gang-related shootings in the same neighborhood Saturday, remained in very critical condition Sunday night at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, police said.
Belisario Hernandez was shot several times in his head and neck by two men who forced their way into his Canby Avenue home shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday, said Det. Rick Swanston of the LAPD’s West Valley Division.
Hernandez’s nephew, Edwin Hernandez, told police two Latino men knocked on the door and then pushed their way inside as Belisario Hernandez opened it, according to Det. Andrew Purdy, who is investigating the case.
Edwin Hernandez told police the pair pinned his uncle down and demanded his gang affiliation. One of the intruders fired several shots at Belisario Hernandez before his nephew was able to grab the gun away from the armed suspect, Swanston said.
Belisario Hernandez was taken to the hospital, where his condition, at first listed as grave, was upgraded slightly Sunday night to very critical.
Purdy said the incident may be related to a gang-involved shooting earlier that day in Reseda in which two men were shot and wounded, one in the leg and the other in the stomach, after they threatened rivals with a tire iron.
He would not say how the two incidents might be related.
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