The Washington Times

Police seeking second suspect in shooting of P.G. teen

Prince George's County police on Friday released the name of a second man involved in a fatal double shooting that killed a 14-year-old Lewisdale boy.

An arrest warrant was issued for John Junior Hernandez, 22, of the 2200 block of Guilford Road in Hyattsville in connection with Wednesday’s shooting — which killed 14-year-old Eliezer Reyes and injured another man, police said. Authorities believe Mr. Hernandez, who is still on then loose, to be the gunman and plan to charge him with first-degree murder.

Another man, 24-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez-Nunez, was arrested shortly after the drive-by shooting and is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the incident. Hyattsville police said shortly after the shooting an officer noticed a van in the area that matched the description of the vehicle used in the shooting and attempted to stop it. Mr. Rodriguez-Nunez bailed out of the driver’s side of the van and was arrested by the officer, Hyattsville police said. The van’s passenger — who officials believe to be Mr. Hernandez — escaped.

Eliezer and the other man who was shot were walking with two people police have identified as documented gang members, fueling speculation that the shooting was gang-related. Police have not disclosed a motive in the shooting.

According to officials with knowledge of the investigation, Mr. Hernandez is also a documented member of the largely Salvadoran gang MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, and Mr. Rodriguez-Nunez told officials that it was Mr. Hernandez who shot out of the van at the group as he drove. It was unclear whether Mr. Rodriguez-Nunez is a documented gang member.

A bond review hearing is scheduled for Mr. Rodriguez-Nunez on Monday.

© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus

      Independent voices from the TWT Communities

      Wells On Baseball

      This column will cover anything that has anything remotely to do with the game of baseball, from the game itself to mid-summer trades to offseason moves.

      Ad Lib

      Are there profound differences between the Left and the Right? You betcha.

      Haydon's Soccer and Sports Pitch

      Covering the world of soccer, including the World Cup, Major League Soccer, D.C. United and the English Premier League and other interesting sporting events.