Adolfo Francisco, a 35-year-old Latino, was tragically shot on July 25, 2016, in the Westlake area of Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s records, Francisco was walking north on South Burlington Avenue near West 5th Street around 10 p.m. when he was shot from across the street. The assailant or assailants fled in an unknown direction. Francisco was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries on July 27, 2016.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and Francisco was not known to be affiliated with any gang.
The investigation into Francisco's death led to the arrest of Juan Hernandez, who was charged with the murder. Hernandez, a member of the Rockwood gang, was accused of fatally shooting Francisco, who was identified as a member of the rival 18th Street gang. The crime took place in an area claimed by the 18th Street gang, adding a layer of complexity to the case. During the trial, Hernandez faced multiple charges, including the murder of Francisco and associated firearm offenses. However, Hernandez was ultimately acquitted of the charges related to Francisco's murder.
The case against Hernandez also included charges for the murder of another individual, Angel Morales, which occurred in September 2016. Hernandez was convicted of the second-degree murder of Morales and related firearm offenses. Despite the acquittal in Francisco's case, the trial highlighted the ongoing gang violence in Los Angeles and the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving such crimes. The investigation into Francisco's death remains open, with authorities continuing to seek information from the public to bring those responsible to justice.
