Prosecutors yesterday released video of three gunmen wanted in the killing of a Woodlynne bakery owner, hoping a distinctive hooded sweatshirt worn by one of the men will lead to their capture.
Oscar Medina Hernandez, 29, a father of two and the owner of Alex's Bakery & Food Store on Ferry Avenue, was shot dead inside the bakery about 8:45 p.m. last Wednesday.
In the video, taken by cameras inside and outside the store, three hooded men can be seen entering. The man who shot Medina Hernandez is wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and can be seen pointing his gun over the counter.
One of the other gunmen is wearing what authorities call a red "Ed Hardy or Ed Hardy look-alike" hoodie. His face is visible in the video as he goes behind the counter toward the kitchen area. Ed Hardy is a popular clothing brand notable for its use of tattoo designs. The third gunman is wearing a black-and-white striped hoodie.
"They're distinctive. They're not just your normal black hoodie," Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk said. "Somebody in the community is going to recognize that and hopefully make a connection."
An employee who was inside the store has said Medina Hernandez had turned back toward the kitchen door when the shooter fired, striking him in the back.
Prosecutors had initially waited to follow some leads before releasing the security footage to the public. Faulk said the investigation continued to be "very active."
Faulk said Medina Hernandez had worked his way up from dishwasher to cook at a Cherry Hill restaurant before starting his own bakery in Lindenwold; he relocated to Woodlynne, where the bakery has become a meeting place for the area's Mexican community and a favorite snack spot among local police officers.
Monday night, mourners packed St. Joseph's Church on Federal Street for Medina Hernandez's funeral, a testament to the role he played in the community. His body will be flown back to his home in Puebla, Mexico, today, said his brother-in-law, Salvador Ramos.
Faulk described the Medina Hernandezes as "a family of immigrants who had worked hard to achieve the American dream, and were well on their way to doing so before this senseless act occurred."
After Medina Hernandez was shot, the gunmen attempted to get into the cash register and take money from customers inside the store, Faulk said. He added that there was "no reason whatsoever" to shoot Medina Hernandez, as no one in the store had resisted.
"We don't know what the game plan was when they went in there," said Sgt. Frank Falco, a homicide investigator.
"When we get them, we'll find out," Faulk added.
A $1,000 reward has been posted by the Citizens Crime Commission of Delaware Valley for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Medina Hernandez's death. Tipsters may call 215-546-8477 (TIPS).
Contact staff writer Matthew Spolar at 856-779-3829 or mspolar@phillynews.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MOST POPULAR PHILLY.COM PHOTOS
Philly.com news blogs
Philly.com Promotions
