Crime
Harbor Police Officer Injured, 3 Dead in Series of shootings in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy district
The suspected gunman has died at the hospital.
A San Diego Harbor Police officer was injured in a shootout Wednesday morning during a confrontation with a suspect involved in a double homicide earlier in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy district.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl reported that at approximately 8:20 a.m., officers responded to a shooting incident in the 1300 block of Union Street, where a man and a woman were fatally shot, and the gunman fled the scene.
The suspect, believed to have known the victims, was described by witnesses as a man wearing a green shirt and blue jeans, and this information was broadcast to law enforcement across the city.
Roughly 45 minutes later, officers from the Harbor Police Department, aiding in the manhunt, identified someone matching the suspect’s description near the intersection of Juniper Street and Kettner Boulevard.
According to SDPD Captain Manny Del Toro, the suspect displayed “blatant and aggressive” behavior, wore tactical pants and boots, and was armed with a gun and knives.
As Harbor Police officers attempted to approach him, a gunfight broke out. During the exchange, a Harbor Police officer sustained a gunshot wound to the hip, and the suspect was also struck by police gunfire.
Three officers reportedly engaged in the gunfight, but it remains unclear who fired first.
The injured officer was transported to UC San Diego Medical Center, and while the injury was not immediately detailed, Chief Wahl expressed optimism about the officer’s recovery, urging the public to keep the officer in their thoughts.
Both the officer and the suspect were taken to the hospital for treatment, where, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the suspect was pronounced dead.
Authorities identified the deceased as a male in his twenties but did not release his name. Chief Wahl commended the swift and courageous response of the Harbor Police officers, noting their bravery in preventing potential additional harm to bystanders in the popular Little Italy area, which was busy with pedestrians and businesses at the time.
SDPD homicide detectives are now investigating the initial double homicide on Union Street to determine a motive.
Several roads in the area have been closed to facilitate the investigation, and police are requesting that the public avoid the following areas for the next few hours:
- Kettner Boulevard between W. Ivy and Laurel Streets
- Union Street between W. Ash and W. A Streets
- Intersection of Union and W. Ash Streets
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.