Julbert Hernandez, a 21-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on May 3, 2022, in Chicago, IL. The incident occurred in the Rogers Park neighborhood, specifically in the 7400 block of North Wolcott Avenue. Hernandez and another man were sitting in a parked car when a gunman approached and began firing. Hernandez suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body and was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead.
The other man, aged 20, was shot in the abdomen and leg but survived the attack.
The investigation into Julbert Hernandez's death revealed that the shooting was part of a botched robbery attempt. Isaias Salas, a 20-year-old male, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, murder via other forcible felony, and armed robbery in connection with the incident. Salas, along with another suspect, Isaiah Cardona, and a third individual who remains at large, were allegedly involved in the robbery attempt. According to prosecutors, Hernandez and Salas were members of the same gang, and the group had planned to rob Hernandez.
On the night of the incident, Hernandez and the suspects were hanging out together. They drove off in Hernandez's car and returned to the area just after midnight. Surveillance footage showed Salas and Hernandez exiting the vehicle before Salas began striking Hernandez. Hernandez attempted to flee but was chased by Cardona. As Hernandez ran back towards the car, Salas allegedly stepped in front of him and opened fire, striking both Hernandez and Cardona. Hernandez collapsed into his car and later died from his injuries, having been shot a total of 18 times.
During the investigation, police discovered messages on social media accounts indicating that the suspects had planned the robbery and discussed the hijacking of Hernandez's vehicle. Cardona was arrested in August and admitted to taking Hernandez's wallet and phone during the incident. Salas was taken into custody later and confessed to firing shots in Hernandez's direction. Both Salas and Cardona were held without bond, and the case against them is ongoing. The third suspect has not yet been charged.
