Tulare Gang Member Found Guilty of Murder

Yesterday in Department 5 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, Judge Joseph Kalashian presiding, a jury found Frankie Hernandez, age 27, of Tulare, guilty of second-degree murder with the special allegations of using a gun and committing the murder for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

On August 22, 2013, Tulare Police Department officers responded to a call about a shooting victim. They found a 30-year-old male victim curled up against a house bleeding heavily from several gunshot wounds. According to witnesses, the victim went by the street name of “Bad Boy.” Prior to the shooting, the victim was walking along the Santa Fe Trail in Tulare with a friend when he passed a groupof Northern gang members. They asked about the victim’s gang status. Thevictim, who had dropped out of the gang, tried to conceal his identity and walked on. As the victim and his friend were walking down B Street a short time later,Hernandez emerged and asked if the victim was “Bad Boy.” The victim tried to say that he was not, but Hernandez said: “It is you” and drew a gun. The victim tried to flee but Hernandez fired numerous times at the victim, hitting him in the back. The victim managed to stagger to the front yard of a nearby house before collapsing. Tulare police officers quickly responded to the scene. Before losing consciousness, the victim was able to tell police officers that “Frankie” had shot him because he was a drop out gang member. The victim lost consciousness and died shortly afterwards at the hospital from his wounds.

Hernandez faces 40 years to life in prison at sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Taksa of the Major Crimes Division and investigated by Sgt. Jon Hamlin of the Tulare Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494