More than a month after a fatal officer-involved shooting in San Fernando – when San Fernando Police Department (SFPD) officers shot and killed a man wielding a shovel in the alley behind Library Plaza – city and police officials have confirmed that all officers connected to the shooting are back on active duty.
Interim SFPD Chief Anthony Miranda said there were a total of six SFPD officers – who have still not been identified – involved in the Aug. 31 shooting. He also said the officers were wearing body cameras, and confirmed that the body cams were activated and operational.
“Absolutely all had body cams,” Miranda told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol during National Night Out on Tuesday. SFPD hosts the annual event, when community members are invited to meet the chief and officers, tour the police station and see K-9 demonstrations.
Last week, San Fernando City Manager Kanika Kith also confirmed that “all [SFPD] officers involved in the shooting have returned to duty following the required fitness-for-duty clearance.”
“Their return to duty is an administrative decision, separate from the California Department of Justice’s independent investigation, and does not constitute a finding regarding the incident,” stated Kith. She did not explain the department’s procedure to determine how an officer is cleared to return to duty.
Following the shooting, city officials announced the DOJ’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team would be handling this case.
The fatal shooting occurred late evening on Aug. 31, when SFPD officers were responding to a report of an assault. While details are unclear, and SFPD will not confirm citing the pending investigation, Carlos Hernandez, 35, allegedly attacked or threatened a woman in a car. The shooting was captured on video, which was circulated widely online. The 27-second video shows at least four SFPD officers in the alleyway behind the Library Plaza – one appears to have their firearm drawn – approaching Hernandez, who can be seen holding a shovel downward as he walks away in front of the officers and then goes briefly out of frame.
Hernandez then reappears and walks back toward the officers while holding up the shovel in one hand. He does not swing the shovel. That’s when the officers, standing in a line formation, discharged their firearms; a neighbor reported hearing at least 15 shots. Hernandez was struck and fell to the ground; he was later pronounced dead at the scene. His body remained in the alleyway throughout the next morning as several officers placed numbered evidence markers and took photographs.
Hernandez, who was known by the nickname “Terms,” was often seen walking on Maclay Street. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Hernandez died of multiple gunshot wounds.
A long-time friend described Hernandez as “very mellow, very quiet,” and told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol that she was surprised to learn he had been homeless at the time of the shooting.
National Night Out
Tuesday’s National Night Out was the first community event in the City of San Fernando since the August shooting. It was the first time for most residents to meet and talk with the new interim chief.
“We are here to serve you. I am here to serve you,” Miranda said, addressing the crowd. “There’s a lot of love from the community to this police department. We feel it and we appreciate it.”
That sentiment was shared by residents, as several who spoke with the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol held mostly positive feelings towards the local police department.
Graciela Govea, who has lived in San Fernando for over 30 years, said she and other family members attended National Night Out because “we support police officers; we’re on their side.”
“They risk their lives to save us, to try to keep us safe, but there are a lot of people who don’t appreciate them and even criticize them,” said Govea. “They don’t appreciate what they do.”
Regarding the Aug. 31 shooting death, Govea believes “it was either his life or theirs,” she said.
“That’s how I see it,” she added. “People who are going to be arrested have to keep in mind that if they resist or do something, they could end up that way.”
Celina Lopez, who attended the SFPD event with her husband and their two children, said she enjoys local gatherings “when the community comes together and celebrates with each other.”
“Being here tonight is a reminder that we’re always here for one another, and that the police department and any other resources we need are always just a phone call away,” said Lopez, who grew up in San Fernando. “For me, that’s the most important thing. … It makes me happy.”
While long-time residents in the small city have supported having their own local police department, and have resisted any suggestion to contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the SFPD has had more than its share of controversy that has included strife within the department and resistance to change. SFPD police chiefs have encountered conflict with the Police Officers Association (POA), which has resisted the disciplining of its officers.
Lucy Vergara, who has lived in San Fernando for nearly 15 years, said she has always felt safe living in the community, which she described as “nice and tranquil.” She believes the local police department is “concerned about our safety.” However, Vergara said she was shocked and concerned when she heard about the fatal SFPD shooting shortly after it happened.
“I mean, you get worried when you hear about something like that, because it makes you think, ‘Well, what about our safety? Should we be concerned that something like that could happen to us?’” said Vergara, noting that she definitely wants to hear the results of the current investigation. “The truth is that we don’t know why it happened, but it does make me a little nervous.”
Gabriel Arizon contributed to this article.
