In the early moments of a December morning, the life of 17-year-old Samuel Hernández was tragically cut short in Northwest Washington, D.C. On Monday, December 20, 2021, at approximately 12:28 a.m., authorities responded to the sound of gunshots in the 200 block of Allison Street, NW. Upon their arrival, they discovered the young male suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services were called to the scene, but Hernández showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead.
Originally from Hyattsville, Maryland, the male teenager had arranged to meet with a group of individuals at the nearby Rock Creek Cemetery. Investigators suggest that Hernández may not have been aware that the people he was meeting were associated with a gang known as the Columbia Road boys. This gang is known to operate in the Northwest Corridor of the city and has been involved in violent crimes and conflicts with other local gangs. The exact reason for the meeting and what transpired leading up to the fatal shooting remains a subject of the ongoing investigation.
In the aftermath of the homicide, the Metropolitan Police Department identified 19-year-old Herson Guzman, also known as Herson Guzman-Orellana, of Northwest, D.C., as the primary suspect. A warrant for his arrest on the charge of First Degree Murder While Armed was issued by the D.C. Superior Court. Law enforcement officials believe Guzman is a member of the Columbia Road boys. After examining the victim's cell phone, investigators found text messages exchanged with a number connected to Guzman, including one message about meeting at the location where the murder occurred approximately 20 minutes before the incident.
Authorities have sought the public's help in locating Guzman, who is believed to have fled the area after learning he was a person of interest. He is described as having significant ties to the D.C. and Baltimore areas, as well as El Salvador. A reward of up to $25,000 has been offered by the Metropolitan Police Department for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Samuel Hernández's death.
