Alexander Hernandez (Serial Killer)
Los Angeles Drive-By Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
March – August 2014
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Alexander Hernandez, an American serial killer known as "The Valley Killer," committed a series of drive-by shootings in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area from March to August 2014, resulting in five fatalities and 11 injuries, including two dogs killed. The first known victim, Sergio Sanchez, was shot on March 14, 2014, while driving on the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. Hernandez was apprehended on August 24, 2014, following a five-day shooting spree that left four dead and several others injured. He was convicted on multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and animal cruelty, and is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Calipatria State Prison. Significant evidence includes ballistics linking him to the shootings and eyewitness accounts from survivors.
Investigators and the public speculate that Alexander Hernandez's violent behavior may have been influenced by his troubled early life, including previous convictions and a restraining order filed by a former girlfriend due to threats. Some believe that his random targeting of victims suggests a deeper psychological issue, while others theorize that his criminal history contributed to a pattern of escalating violence. Additionally, there is speculation about whether Hernandez's choice of victims, including dogs, indicates a particular motive or a broader disdain for life itself.
The Valley Killer: The Story of Alexander Hernandez
A String of Murders in Los Angeles
In the heart of Los Angeles, California, between March and August of 2014, a series of chilling drive-by shootings shattered the sense of security in the sprawling metropolitan area. Alexander Hernandez, born on May 12, 1980, became infamously known as "The Valley Killer." Over these months, he embarked on a violent rampage, indiscriminately targeting both people and animals. By the end of his spree, Hernandez had murdered five individuals, injured eleven others, and claimed the lives of two dogs. Ultimately, justice caught up with him, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Early Years of Turmoil
Hernandez's early life was marked by a trajectory towards crime. Born in Sylmar, Los Angeles, his criminal record began to accumulate in 2004 with convictions for vandalism, drug possession, and weapons charges. A significant event in 2010 further highlighted his violent tendencies when an ex-girlfriend filed a restraining order against him to protect herself and her children. This mounting aggression showed no signs of abating, and in June 2014, Hernandez was arrested for threatening his cousin with a knife. Despite this, prosecutors declined to press charges.
A Deadly Series of Shootings
The violence erupted on March 14, 2014, when Hernandez shot and killed Sergio Sanchez, a 35-year-old man, while both were driving on the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. Sanchez was found lifeless in his car on an off-ramp—a grim harbinger of the chaos to come.
The violence continued on April 27, 2014, when a man was injured in his car in front of a Pacoima apartment building. Then, on May 11, Hernandez struck again, shooting a 19-year-old man in Northridge. The young victim, fresh from his high school prom, was left partially paralyzed. Another attack occurred on June 15, when a man was shot in the arm on the 210 Freeway.
In August 2014, a five-day shooting spree escalated the terror. Hernandez used a shotgun in seven attacks, leaving four people dead and others wounded. On August 20, a 42-year-old woman was shot as she exited the 5 Freeway in Atwater Village. That same day, Hernandez attacked three dogs near his home, killing two. The next morning, he fatally shot Gildardo Morales, a 59-year-old man, in Pacoima. On August 22, he targeted a couple in West Hollywood, but they escaped unharmed.
The violence peaked on August 24, when the Franco family, en route to church, was ambushed by Hernandez. Mariana Franco, aged 22, was killed, and her parents were critically injured, while her siblings miraculously survived. Just 40 minutes later, Michael Planells, 29, was fatally shot at the Sylmar Recreational Center. Hernandez's final victim, 59-year-old Gloria Tovar, was killed as she sat in her car in Pacoima.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
On the evening of August 24, 2014, the Los Angeles police SWAT team apprehended Hernandez after he barricaded himself in his home. Once inside, officers discovered the pistol-grip shotgun used in his recent rampage. Initially charged only with the August shootings, Hernandez was later linked to previous attacks in 2015.
Hernandez's trial was delayed due to questions regarding his mental competency and an 18-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, prosecutors sought the death penalty, but Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón barred capital punishment in 2020.
On May 25, 2022, Hernandez received his sentence: life imprisonment without parole. He was convicted of five counts of murder, eleven counts of attempted murder, eight counts of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, three counts of animal cruelty, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon and negligent discharge of a firearm. Today, Hernandez is incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison.
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First Murder
Alexander Hernandez shoots and kills Sergio Sanchez on the 210 Freeway.
First Injury
A man is injured in a drive-by shooting while parked in Pacoima.
Teen Shot
Hernandez shoots a 19-year-old man during a car-to-car shooting, leaving him partially paralyzed.
Shooting Spree Begins
Hernandez starts a five-day shooting spree, killing multiple victims and injuring others.
Final Shootings
Hernandez kills Mariana Franco and Michael Planells, among others, during a series of shootings.
Arrest
Hernandez is arrested by LAPD SWAT team after barricading himself in his home.
Charges Expanded
Hernandez is linked to earlier shootings and additional charges are filed against him.
Sentencing
Hernandez is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for five counts of murder.
Alexander Hernandez, an American serial killer known as "The Valley Killer," committed a series of drive-by shootings in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area from March to August 2014, resulting in five fatalities and 11 injuries, including two dogs killed. The first known victim, Sergio Sanchez, was shot on March 14, 2014, while driving on the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. Hernandez was apprehended on August 24, 2014, following a five-day shooting spree that left four dead and several others injured. He was convicted on multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and animal cruelty, and is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Calipatria State Prison. Significant evidence includes ballistics linking him to the shootings and eyewitness accounts from survivors.
Investigators and the public speculate that Alexander Hernandez's violent behavior may have been influenced by his troubled early life, including previous convictions and a restraining order filed by a former girlfriend due to threats. Some believe that his random targeting of victims suggests a deeper psychological issue, while others theorize that his criminal history contributed to a pattern of escalating violence. Additionally, there is speculation about whether Hernandez's choice of victims, including dogs, indicates a particular motive or a broader disdain for life itself.
The Valley Killer: The Story of Alexander Hernandez
A String of Murders in Los Angeles
In the heart of Los Angeles, California, between March and August of 2014, a series of chilling drive-by shootings shattered the sense of security in the sprawling metropolitan area. Alexander Hernandez, born on May 12, 1980, became infamously known as "The Valley Killer." Over these months, he embarked on a violent rampage, indiscriminately targeting both people and animals. By the end of his spree, Hernandez had murdered five individuals, injured eleven others, and claimed the lives of two dogs. Ultimately, justice caught up with him, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Early Years of Turmoil
Hernandez's early life was marked by a trajectory towards crime. Born in Sylmar, Los Angeles, his criminal record began to accumulate in 2004 with convictions for vandalism, drug possession, and weapons charges. A significant event in 2010 further highlighted his violent tendencies when an ex-girlfriend filed a restraining order against him to protect herself and her children. This mounting aggression showed no signs of abating, and in June 2014, Hernandez was arrested for threatening his cousin with a knife. Despite this, prosecutors declined to press charges.
A Deadly Series of Shootings
The violence erupted on March 14, 2014, when Hernandez shot and killed Sergio Sanchez, a 35-year-old man, while both were driving on the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. Sanchez was found lifeless in his car on an off-ramp—a grim harbinger of the chaos to come.
The violence continued on April 27, 2014, when a man was injured in his car in front of a Pacoima apartment building. Then, on May 11, Hernandez struck again, shooting a 19-year-old man in Northridge. The young victim, fresh from his high school prom, was left partially paralyzed. Another attack occurred on June 15, when a man was shot in the arm on the 210 Freeway.
In August 2014, a five-day shooting spree escalated the terror. Hernandez used a shotgun in seven attacks, leaving four people dead and others wounded. On August 20, a 42-year-old woman was shot as she exited the 5 Freeway in Atwater Village. That same day, Hernandez attacked three dogs near his home, killing two. The next morning, he fatally shot Gildardo Morales, a 59-year-old man, in Pacoima. On August 22, he targeted a couple in West Hollywood, but they escaped unharmed.
The violence peaked on August 24, when the Franco family, en route to church, was ambushed by Hernandez. Mariana Franco, aged 22, was killed, and her parents were critically injured, while her siblings miraculously survived. Just 40 minutes later, Michael Planells, 29, was fatally shot at the Sylmar Recreational Center. Hernandez's final victim, 59-year-old Gloria Tovar, was killed as she sat in her car in Pacoima.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
On the evening of August 24, 2014, the Los Angeles police SWAT team apprehended Hernandez after he barricaded himself in his home. Once inside, officers discovered the pistol-grip shotgun used in his recent rampage. Initially charged only with the August shootings, Hernandez was later linked to previous attacks in 2015.
Hernandez's trial was delayed due to questions regarding his mental competency and an 18-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, prosecutors sought the death penalty, but Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón barred capital punishment in 2020.
On May 25, 2022, Hernandez received his sentence: life imprisonment without parole. He was convicted of five counts of murder, eleven counts of attempted murder, eight counts of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, three counts of animal cruelty, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon and negligent discharge of a firearm. Today, Hernandez is incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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First Murder
Alexander Hernandez shoots and kills Sergio Sanchez on the 210 Freeway.
First Injury
A man is injured in a drive-by shooting while parked in Pacoima.
Teen Shot
Hernandez shoots a 19-year-old man during a car-to-car shooting, leaving him partially paralyzed.
Shooting Spree Begins
Hernandez starts a five-day shooting spree, killing multiple victims and injuring others.
Final Shootings
Hernandez kills Mariana Franco and Michael Planells, among others, during a series of shootings.
Arrest
Hernandez is arrested by LAPD SWAT team after barricading himself in his home.
Charges Expanded
Hernandez is linked to earlier shootings and additional charges are filed against him.
Sentencing
Hernandez is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for five counts of murder.