SHOOTING SUSPECT NAMED.Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Staff Writer WINNETKA - Nearly a month after a Winnetka man was shot and critically wounded while viewing Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane, authorities issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a suspect who may have fled to Mexico. Francisco Javier Hernandez, 24, had taken his wife and 2-year-old son to the famous light display as a cap to their Christmas day but then ran into the man who owed him $1,300, police said. After seeing the suspect, Carlos Alvaro Beltrani Merino Merino Breed of medium-sized sheep originating in Spain that has become prominent worldwide. It has a white face, white legs, and crimped fine-wool fleece. Known as early as the 12th century, it may have been a Moorish importation. , 32, of Sylmar, with his family, Hernandez left his car to demand his money for Merino's failure to deliver his end of a business deal, police said. Hernandez paid Merino 18 months earlier for either car insurance or fake identification, said LAPD 1. LAPD - Link Access Procedure on the D channel. 2. LAPD - Los Angeles Police Department. Detective Rick Swanston of the West Valley Division. ``We're not sure what the financial dispute was over. But he didn't get what he was intending to get,'' Swanston said. Witnesses said the men argued before Merino shot Hernandez in the head and abdomen, Swanston said. Hernandez remains in critical condition and on life support at Northridge Hospital Medical Center Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a hospital in the Northridge town of Los Angeles, California, USA. It is currently operated by Catholic Healthcare West. History The hospital was founded in 1955 by Dr. . The tragedy is particularly difficult for Hernandez's son, who frequently re-enacts the shooting with his 3-year-old cousin, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the victim's sister-in-law Adalina Hernandez. ``He knows his father's in the hospital, but he doesn't understand why he can't see him. . . . He keeps repeating how his dad got pushed down and how he was jerking, and then he pretends like he's dead,'' she said. ``It's real traumatic for everybody,'' she said. On Thursday, police obtained a warrant for Merino's arrest and asked for the public's help in finding the suspect, whom police describe as a convicted felon An individual who commits a crime of a serious nature, such as Burglary or murder. A person who commits a felony. felon n. a person who has been convicted of a felony, which is a crime punishable by death or a term in state or federal prison. with an ``extensive prior criminal past.'' Merino has been charged with one count of attempted murder In the criminal law, attempted murder is committed when the defendant does an act that is more than merely preparatory to the commission of the crime of murder and, at the time of these acts, the person has a specific intention to kill. with a special allegation of using a gun, which carries 20 years to life in prison. He is also charged with assault with a firearm, said Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Deputy District Attorney Shellie Samuels. Merino is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, 150 pounds with brown hair and brown, almond-shaped eyes. Investigators ask that anyone with information contact detectives at (818) 756-8546 or (213) 485-2504 after hours Adv. 1. after hours - not during regular hours; "he often worked after hours" . Hernandez's family stood vigil at the victim's bedside Thursday, where he remained in a coma. ``They come home at 2 a.m. and go back at 7 a.m.,'' said Adalina Hernandez. ``We get hope and then suddenly, his temperature goes to 107.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: MERINO |
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