Mariana Franco, a 23-year-old resident of San Fernando, California, tragically lost her life on August 24, 2014. She was fatally shot while riding in a car with her parents and two siblings on their way to an early morning Mass. The incident occurred around 5:50 a.m. in the 1400 block of Celis Street. The family was ambushed, and both of her parents sustained injuries in the attack. Mariana died at the scene, marking the beginning of a horrifying one-hour shooting spree in the Pacoima-San Fernando area.
The shooting spree that claimed Mariana's life was part of a series of random attacks carried out by Alexander Hernandez, a 34-year-old resident of Sylmar. Hernandez's rampage on that fateful morning also resulted in the deaths of Michael Planells, 29, and Gloria Tovar, 59. Planells was shot while searching for cans to recycle in the parking lot of the Sylmar Recreation Center, and Tovar was killed while sitting in her car, waiting to drive a friend to church. These attacks were part of a broader pattern of violence that Hernandez had been perpetrating since March 2014.
Hernandez was eventually charged with five counts of capital murder and ten counts of attempted murder. His violent spree included shooting at 15 people in the San Fernando Valley, resulting in five deaths and eight injuries. Among his victims were Sergio Sanchez, who was killed while driving home from work in March 2014, and Gildardo Morales, who was shot while driving to work in August 2014. Hernandez's actions were seemingly random, targeting unsuspecting individuals in their cars or on the streets.
The legal proceedings against Hernandez were extensive. He was convicted of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder, and his conviction was upheld by a state appeals court in October 2024. Hernandez was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, ensuring that he would remain behind bars for the rest of his life. The case brought some measure of closure to the families of the victims, though the senseless nature of the violence left a lasting impact on the community.
Mariana Franco's death, along with the other victims of Hernandez's rampage, highlighted the random and unpredictable nature of such violent acts. The community of San Fernando and the surrounding areas were left to grapple with the aftermath of the shootings, mourning the loss of innocent lives and seeking justice for those affected. The case remains a stark reminder of the potential for random violence and the importance of vigilance and community support in the face of such tragedies.
