Authorities say 34-year-old Nestor Hernandez was closing down the shop in the 8900 block of Woodman Avenue around 8:40 p.m. when he was shot multiple times. Police initially thought this was a robbery gone wrong, but after evaluating the evidence, investigators say this was personal.
"It's apparent the shooter appears suddenly from the victim's right," said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon in a statement. "There's no real confrontation, just an immediate assault. It's deliberate, premeditated and tends to show it's a grudge."
Hernandez suffered four gunshot wounds. He was declared dead at the scene.
Police did not release the surveillance video out of respect to the victim's family, saying the footage was "graphic and disturbing."
The suspect was wearing an over-sized white jersey and a white baseball cap with a dark brim. Witnesses told officers he appeared to be Hispanic and in his 30s.
Detectives also released an image of a woman seen entering a tattoo shop immediately following the shooting. Police want to talk to her because she is believed to be the nearest witness to the shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD Mission Homicide Unit at (818) 838-9948.
