Erik Gustavo Hernandez, a former LaSalle police officer, is sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of Juston Reffel, who died after being shot outside a Family Dollar store on May 3, 2023. Despite facing a charge of second-degree murder, Hernandez pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year following a trial where the jury could not reach a verdict.
The incident unfolded while Hernandez and another officer were investigating a suspicious vehicle. When Reffel attempted to flee in his car, Hernandez fired four shots, striking him in the torso. Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells stated that the case highlights the gravity of losing a human life and emphasized that Hernandez will no longer serve as a police officer, reinforcing accountability within law enforcement.
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