(L.A.) Eliar Real Hernandez, 40, Died at an Intersection
Case Number: 2026-05483
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 40-year-old Latino male that occurred at an intersection in the Westmont neighborhood.
The coroner’s office identified the man as Eliar Real Hernandez.
Manner of Death: Homicide
Cause of Death: Gunshot Wounds
RIP ELIAR REAL HERNANDEZ ( April 3, 2026)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday morning.
Some time between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., LAPD responded to gunfire at a Mobil gas station near the intersection of 115th Street and South Vermont Avenue. There, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso.
Police tracked the shooting suspect to the area of 111th Street and Van Buren Avenue, approximately half a mile from the gas station. The suspect reportedly refused to put down his firearm and ended up getting shot to death. A loaded 9mm ghost gun was recovered from the scene.
Since then, video by a local resident has come out showing that the cops shot the suspect in the back as he was walking away.
Description from Instagram Video:
⚫️⚠️WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED⚠️⚫️ • VIDEO RELEASED OF DEADLY OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING • Cell phone video has surfaced of a deadly officer involved shooting from April 3rd in south Los Angeles. According to police, the man was armed with a gun and had allegedly just shot another person at a nearby gas station before being encountered by police. The family alleges the man was not armed and instead was holding a cell phone. In our last post, what appears to be a firearm is seen under the suspect after police secured and moved his body. Authorities did confirm an unregistered ghost gun was recovered at the scene. Meanwhile, the family accuse police of using excessive force and have retained a lawyer. What do you think? Excessive or reasonable?
77th Street area officers involved:
- Police Officer II Antonio Cortina Serial No. 45184
- Police Officer II Kevin Santizo, Serial No. 43780
Kevin Osiel Santizo y Angel was hired by LAPD in 2018. He stands a mere 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. He received total compensation of approximately $150,000 in 2024.
There is no photo available for Antonio G Cortina, a relatively new hire who entered the force only in 2022. He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall. In 2024, he received a salary of $115,000 excluding retirement pay.
LAPD Narrative
On April 3, 2026, at around 0108 am, uniformed officers assigned to 77th Street Patrol Division responded to a radio call of an Assault with a Deadly Weapon at a gas station located near the 11500 block of South Vermont Avenue in the Southeast Area.
The call indicated that a shooting had occurred and that a victim had been struck by gunfire. The suspect was described as a 45-year-old male Hispanic wearing a black sweater and black pants, last seen fleeing westbound on Imperial Highway. While canvassing the area for the suspect, 77th Street Patrol Division officers observed a male Hispanic, later identified as Eliar Real Hernandez, who matched the broadcast description.
Hernandez was walking on the sidewalk while holding a handgun pointed at his head. One of the officers issued multiple verbal commands in an effort to gain compliance; however, Hernandez failed to comply and subsequently turned toward the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS). Hernandez was struck by gunfire and taken into custody without further incident.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid and requested the response of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Upon arrival, LAFD personnel assessed Hernandez and pronounced him deceased at the scene. The investigation determined that Hernandez was in possession of a loaded 9-millimeter ghost gun, which was recovered at the scene and booked as evidence. No officers or additional community members were injured during the incident. Personnel from Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and assumed investigative responsibility.
South Los Angeles family challenges account of fatal LAPD shooting
While police report the suspect was armed and noncompliant, the family and their attorneys claim video evidence shows the man was walking away from officers when they opened fire.
* There were three homicides in L.A. County on this day, April 3, including a 15-year-old.