The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors reinstated a $10,000 reward today for information that helps solve the killing of a 21-year-old Cal State Long Beach student who was gunned down in a drive-by attack in unincorporated West Compton nearly two years ago.
Estephan Hernandez was shot on the evening of Sept. 28, 2017, as he sat in his parked car in the 1100 block of East 148th Street, having a conversation with a female friend, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Hernandez died at the scene and his companion was taken to a hospital for treatment of a single gunshot wound.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said Hernandez was an honor student majoring in sociology, who was slated to graduate in April 2018 and pursue a career in social work.
“He was a promising student who had his career life ahead of him, but was taken from him too soon,” CSULB president Jane Close Conoley said last year when the reward was first announced. “Knowing that murders of many young men in the community are difficult and impossible to solve, we really seek community involvement.”
The reward expired April 29 and will now be available for at least another 90 days.
The suspect vehicle was described only as a black four-door sedan that pulled alongside Hernandez’ parked car without stopping as someone inside opened fire, and then sped west on 148th Street.
“We don’t think this is a random act at all, we think Stephan was targeted,” Det. Louie Aguilera said last year. “He was around the corner from his house and in an area where there is no gang affiliation.”
Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).