Hernan Cardona, 60

Hernan Cardona, a 60-year-old Latino man, was shot and killed outside an auto parts store about 10 p.m. Friday, April 18. Police said Cardona worked as a security guard at the Auto Zone at 1905 S. Western Ave. and exchanged gunfire with two black men wearing dark hooded sweatshirts. Then, according to Cardona's son, Wilfredo Cardona, 34, his father attempted to help a wounded bystander. As he was checking on the man, the two gunmen shot Hernan Cardona three times from behind. He was struck in the head at least once, his son said. The motive for the shooting is still unknown, police said.

Hernan's sister Miriam Cardona, 39, said her brother was from El Salvador. He was a father of seven and grandfather of five, she said. According to family, Hernan like to stay fit by lifting weights. He liked being outdoors and was fond of beef jerky and dry fish. His sister said they had planned on returning to El Salvador in November. Wilfredo said he last saw his dad on Monday. He said they both had lunch together. "I lost my dad and best friend," said Wilfredo. "He was valuable to me."  See dispatch.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call Wilshire Homicide Detectives Kurt Wong and Javier Hernandez at (213) 473-0446

Comments

[KWinn]

I pray that these thugs are caught and soon. Bless this man for trying to help someone else while also being wounded and then subsequently being killed himself. Someone knows who these thugs are and they should turn them in immediately as they would want someone to do if their loved one was killed. My condolences to the family!!

[glad]

May God have him in his memory. Hope in the ressurection

[kim smith]

i have passed this blog for several days and have answered others just not knowing what to say because my own heart has been heavy with remorse. god bless this man and his family. he was a well loved family man working to earn a living for his family and grandchildren. i'm so ashame of my race my culture that we have so much evilness within that we take another mans life and for what because he was trying to save anther. my heart is so heavy right now as tears roll down my face. peolpe we have to start finding some resolutions here for these crimes to stop in our communities. to the parents of these young children stop your child before he leaves out of your home dressed and presenting himself as a gang member with the white t-shirts and the pant big enough for 3 people to fit in young men and adults stop representing yourself in dress as a gang member you only attract police attention, you fear others away from places just as a simple trip to the grocery stores by your presence. i once could say it was a racial thing but now the latinos are killing their own race as well and for what cause he's a gang member or just because he's in your hood these streets aint your hood it's our community and society where we all have to live. stop listening to these so called shot callers from in prison cause one danm thing for sure they aint gettin out to kick your ass and might be be going up in someones or someone going in theirs cause out here your hurting families and even your own once your caught and just like this decease man in the long run as much time the judge is going to give you your going to just a memory too. to the family of this man God Bless you and to his son especially i can feel the hurt in your writing but please within your heart don't have vengence in your heart that only leads to more hurt. pray within yourself for the healing of your and for family and please please remeber that every afro american is not those persons who committed this crime there are those that are christian like and loving of every and their are those who have endured the same pain. communities we must start trying to come together and reporting crimes that we see or heard about even if it's a family member because your just as guilty to habor a person

[steve johnson]

I have seen this guy at the auto zone store before. I am sorry he is dead. If it is true that the shooters shot him from behind, it is more tragic. I remember he had a big gun (a BIG gun), and he really did not bother anybody. So, he probably was defending himself and the store when he had to use his weapon. It is too bad people want to rob and kill. Thou shalt not kill, people.

One comment, though. Is it REALLY important that the shooters were black? I don't think so. They were criminals. That is what is important to me.

[latinatexas]

How many more innocent people have to die?

[ruben]

Steve Johnson

Yes it is important that they list the race of ALL individuals, thats the whole point of this blog to give these individuals (victims and criminals) a "human feeling" NOT just a number. We all today are way too sensitive , but instead of hiding from the problem i think we should face them. I myself am Mexican American and I do feel shame when i see my Raza brothers and sisters killing themselves for stupid petty reasons, but instead of denying that it's happening i try and offer solutions and i still try and volunteer and teach these young kids today that there is life outside the "hood".

[ruben]

Kim Smith

Correction it clearly states that he was shot by 2 Black men NOT LATINOS, but thats neither here nor there whats important is that we should all get together Black brown Asian whatever and get these criminals off our streets

[Marc]

I live in Georgia and recently starting reading this blog. What is wrong with our society? How can anyone kill a man that is just to earn a living. I feel sorry for the people of Las Angeles. How can you live with so much senseless violence? Where are the leaders? Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, TD Jakes, LULAC? Why don't they care about what's happening? I pray for our country and our "leaders" everyday. Maybe one day we'll wake up and realize that we need to change our culture.

[Scott]

If this security officer worked for the police or sheriff and had taken the same actions, he would be treated as a hero with the story on the front page of the newspapers as well as the top story on the local TV news. He is a hero who tried to help an innocent bystander. He deserves a heroes services and motorcade, and his family should be compensated for their loss, but sadly the state will do nothing for this man who is protecting the public just as much as the officers and deputies on the government payroll. May the culprits be apprehended quickly and sentenced to death after their prosecution.

[Scott]

If this security officer worked for the police or sheriff and had taken the same actions, he would be treated as a hero with the story on the front page of the newspapers as well as the top story on the local TV news. He is a hero who tried to help an innocent bystander. He deserves a heroes services and motorcade, and his family should be compensated for their loss, but sadly the state will do nothing for this man who is protecting the public just as much as the officers and deputies on the government payroll. May the culprits be apprehended quickly and sentenced to death after their prosecution.

[canitbe]

Every time a killing like this happens all of humanity suffers, some people know this more than others. The suffering does not end with this man's family and friends. It becomes a part of an universal wounding of all mankind.

A thought for the people responsible for this crime; there may or may not be justice served but your hearts and minds will never rest. You will personally live with the consequences of your actions. Whether or not you care isn't for us to worry about because your own existence is no longer of any consequence and just maybe you will be next.

[CORPORAL MANGANO]

STATE OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR AND SENATORS NEED TO ADD MORE PROTECTION FOR LICENSED ARMED SECURITY OFFICERS JUST LIKE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

FOR EXAMPLE SECURITY GUARDS ARE NOT PROTECTED UNDER PENAL CODE 243

CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE
243. (a) A battery is punishable by a fine not exceeding two
thousand dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not
exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(b) When a battery is committed against the person of a peace
officer, custodial officer, firefighter, emergency medical
technician, lifeguard, process server, traffic officer, code
enforcement officer, or animal control officer engaged in the
performance of his or her duties, whether on or off duty, including
when the peace officer is in a police uniform and is concurrently
performing the duties required of him or her as a peace officer while
also employed in a private capacity as a part-time or casual private
security guard or patrolman, or a nonsworn employee of a probation
department engaged in the performance of his or her duties, whether
on or off duty, or a physician or nurse engaged in rendering
emergency medical care outside a hospital, clinic, or other health
care facility, and the person committing the offense knows or
reasonably should know that the victim is a peace officer, custodial
officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, lifeguard,
process server, traffic officer, code enforcement officer, or animal
control officer engaged in the performance of his or her duties,
nonsworn employee of a probation department, or a physician or nurse
engaged in rendering emergency medical care, the battery is
punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or
by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both
that fine and imprisonment.

UNDER P.C.243 THERE IS NO PROTECTION MENTIONED FOR SECURITY GUARDS

[Rick]

I agree with your comments Scott, this would be a major story if he was a police or law enforcement officer. Unfortuanately, security officer don't get the same respect as police officers do. That's for alot of reasons. This man tried to do the right thing and it got him killed. I hope the LAPD track these criminals down fast.

[dora barraza]

yo soy vecina de los familiares del senor cardona, y yo igual que ellos ya pase por el dolor de perder a un ser querido. y solo quiero desirles que tenga mucha fe en dios que solo el sabe porque ase las cosa .y que a qui estamos para apollarlos . tambien se que no hay palabras que puedan calmar este gran dollor pero solo nos queda pedir por su alma. lo siento mucho sra. martha e hijos, que dios les de la fuersa para poder soportar esta gran perdida........

[sgv]

i'm family of Hernan Cardona, I found out online about this tragedy. I'm not sure how it happen different accounts on different websites. It does not matter if he was shot from behind, or it was a robbery; nobody had the right to take his life away. It does not matter what color the killers are, they need to be taken off the streets. They kill him without any remorse, I'm sure they have kill before and will kill again when ever someone is their way. There is a $55,000 reward, so I'm sure someone will come forward, if not because is the right thing to do maybe for the money. Hernan was a good person, he was a good person making an honest living unlike the killers.

[sgv]

i'm family of Hernan Cardona, I found out online about this tragedy. I'm not sure how it happen different accounts on different websites. It does not matter if he was shot from behind, or it was a robbery; nobody had the right to take his life away. It does not matter what color the killers are, they need to be taken off the streets. They kill him without any remorse, I'm sure they have kill before and will kill again when ever someone is their way. There is a $55,000 reward, so I'm sure someone will come forward, if not because is the right thing to do maybe for the money. Hernan was a good person, he was a good person making an honest living unlike the killers.

[D. Martin]

I have been a security/patrol officer for the past 16 years. And I can tell you that know one has any respect for security officers until something happens & they need one or they become one. This officer took pride in his job and he did it well. Hernan Cardona is a HERO! And I hope everyone realize that. So from my family & I, we would like to give our heartfelt condolence to the Cardona Family & Friends.

[edgar cardona]

this is my father. im 19 years old and hew was all i had. i never really said anything because i was scared. i really love him and i still miss him. thank you all you all for your comments. he was a really good man. he never got tinto trouble. he was a peaceful man. he was my father and my mother. i know he is in a better place.