A grieving Los Angeles family is publicly challenging the LAPD’s version of events after Eliar "Elias" Hernandez was shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting, saying he did not pose the threat described by police and demanding full transparency from investigators.
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, relatives identified the man as Eliar "Elias" Hernandez and said he was killed by police gunfire. In a video captured by the station, family members can be seen speaking out at the scene, calling for what they describe as "justice" as investigators continue to comb through evidence.
What LAPD's Record Shows
The LAPD’s public critical-incident table lists an officer-involved shooting in the Southeast Division last Friday that names the subject as "Hernandez, Eliar Real" and assigns incident number NRF017-26. The department notes that its Force Investigation Division handles all incidents involving deadly force and that the Los Angeles County District Attorney typically reviews FID investigations to determine whether criminal charges are warranted, per LAPD Online.
Why This Matters
A Los Angeles Times analysis earlier this year found LAPD officers had struck bystanders in at least 21 incidents over the last decade, underscoring ongoing concerns about errant rounds and accountability. Community groups and civil-rights lawyers say that pattern makes prompt transparency, including timely release of body-worn camera footage when available, essential to maintaining public trust.
What Comes Next
The family says it will keep pressing for answers while the Force Investigation Division continues gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The LAPD's critical-incident page lists the Force Investigation Division contact at (213) 486-5230 for tips and information, per LAPD Online.
