Crime
26-year-old Johndarius Ward killed after shooting outside Boston Fish Supreme in Birmingham
The suspect opened fire on Ward’s vehicle and then fled the scene.
A tragic shooting incident occurred early Saturday morning in Birmingham, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.
The shooting took place outside two businesses in the 800 block of Third Avenue West, which had previously been labeled by city officials as a “launching pad for criminal activity.”
The victim, identified as 26-year-old Johndarius Decareious Ward of Birmingham, was found unresponsive inside a vehicle.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.
Approximately two dozen shell casings were found surrounding Ward’s sedan, which was parked in front of Boston Fish Supreme. Another cluster of shell casings was located near the front door of the Shell station.
According to police investigations, Ward was attempting to leave the parking lot when he was ambushed by the shooter.
The suspect opened fire on Ward’s vehicle and then fled the scene.
While officers were responding to the shooting, they learned that an additional victim had arrived at Princeton Baptist Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
The injured individual was transferred to UAB Hospital for further treatment.
The Birmingham Police Department is actively investigating the incident and seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and apprehending the suspect.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.