Tuesday marks exactly eight years since a 26-year-old man was shot to death in San Diego’s Oak Park community in a case that remains cold.
Loved ones gathered for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at the very spot where Salvador Hernandez was killed. Although many years have passed since the deadly shooting, Hernandez’s case remains unsolved.
"Time, it doesn't matter how much time goes by. You know a human being was taken away and he came out of my womb; he was everything to me," said Cathy Hernandez, the victim's mother.
According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), on Feb. 16, 2008, Hernandez and a female companion were inside a parked car in the 5500 block of Seifert Street in Oak Park, near the Holy Spirit Church.
At around 3:30 a.m., an unknown person inside a light-colored pickup truck pulled up alongside Hernandez’s car. An occupant inside that truck pulled out a gun and shot at Hernandez and his passenger.
Hernandez’s companion survived the shooting, but Hernandez did not.
Every year, on the anniversary of his death, his family always meets on Seifert Street to mourn their lost loved one.
Local
"It was shocking. We got here, the detectives were on the sidewalk already just telling us, 'We're sorry for your loss.' My mom and dad were on the porch on their knees crying," said Hernandez's sisters Christina Salazar and Maria Guillen.
Hernandez left behind a 2-year-old son, who is 10 now and has no memories of his dad.
"He is the spitting image of him: the way he eats, the way he drinks, the way he spells, the way he looks thin, the way he smiles, the love he gives," said Cathy.
The boy's grandma and aunts give him their memories of his dad.
To this day, no arrests have been made in the cold case killing. Detectives continue to look for fresh leads. Anyone with information should call the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
