Arraignment postponed for accused San Fernando Valley serial killer

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (KABC) -- The Sylmar man accused in a string of shootings across Los Angeles County made his first court appearance on Wednesday, but his arraignment was postponed.

Police are calling 34-year-old Alexander Hernandez a serial killer, linking him to at least seven shootings over five days.

The alleged crime spree began Aug. 20 when a female driver was fired on as she exited the 5 Freeway in Atwater Village. The next day, 48-year-old Gildardo Morales was gunned down in his pickup truck in Pacoima while sitting at a red light. On Friday, a gunman opened fire on a couple in West Hollywood.

On Saturday, Hernandez allegedly shot three dogs, killing two of them, while driving by a house in Pacoima. Then early Sunday morning, three separate shootings in the San Fernando Valley left three people dead.

The L.A. County D.A.'s Office has filed one count of murder with the special circumstance of shooting at an occupied vehicle, two counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle and three counts of animal cruelty. Hernandez was also charged with two counts of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of ammunition.

More charges may be coming, officials say. He has not been charged yet in Sunday's triple murder.

Hernandez was ordered to remain jailed without bail. His arraignment hearing was postponed to Sept. 17 at the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles.

Authorities say Hernandez has several prior convictions, including sale of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.