Ruben Hernandez, a 43-year-old father of four and the sole provider for his family, was shot to death at his home on Avenida La Vista in Cathedral City, California, on March 23, 2020. He was working four jobs at the time. Investigators say the killing was a case of mistaken identity: the suspects believed a former resident of the house had been involved in a 2019 murder.

One defendant, Jose Sanchez-Casas, 27, was found guilty on October 18, 2023, of murder, shooting at a dwelling, and a marijuana-possession misdemeanor; he received a 15 years to life sentence. Gabriel Hernandez, 24, of Indio, who is not related to the victim, is identified as the alleged shooter and remains at large with a $1 million warrant charging him with murder, two counts of attempted murder and enhancements including great bodily injury, a firearm use allegation, and an active-gang special circumstance. Co-defendant Joel Sanchez fled to Mexico and was later arrested in Tijuana; he pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and firearm charges and was sentenced to three years and four months. Ethan Bravo, 22, faces attempted-murder and drug-for-sale charges; his trial was pending with a court date set for January 17, 2024.

Hernandez’s wife and sister described how the family was forced to move out of the home because of the trauma. Does anyone have information that could help locate Gabriel Hernandez or shed light on the events that led to this case of mistaken identity?