A jury was selected on Monday for the trial of Kevin Alfredo Hernandez, a convicted felon accused of shooting and killing Jose Rondan, his 25-year-old acquaintance, during a dispute outside a hookah bar in Riverside. The incident took place at the University Lounge located at 1345 University Ave. in 2021.
Hernandez is facing charges of murder, illegal possession of a firearm as a felon, and additional allegations related to the use of a gun and causing severe bodily harm.
On Thursday and Friday, potential jurors were screened, and on Monday morning, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Charles Koosed swore in the jury at the Riverside Hall of Justice. The prosecution and defense then proceeded with their opening statements.
The trial is expected to continue with testimonies throughout the week.
Hernandez is currently being held at the nearby Robert Presley Jail on a bail of $1 million.
During the preliminary hearing in March 2022, Riverside police Detective Joshua Ontko testified that Hernandez, Rondan, and the victim’s unidentified girlfriend went to the University Lounge on the night of March 13, 2021.
After spending some time with friends at the hookah bar, the trio left in the girlfriend’s car to buy alcohol. They returned to the bar shortly after, around 1 a.m. on March 14, 2021, according to the detective’s testimony.
Ontko stated that the argument started when the girlfriend misplaced her keys, leading to a heated exchange between Rondan and Hernandez, who both exited the car and began shouting at each other.
The verbal altercation turned physical, with Rondan knocking Hernandez to the ground and repeatedly punching him in the face between two parked cars, revealed Ontko’s testimony.
“Mr. Hernandez informed us that Jose started choking him to the point of nearly losing consciousness,” testified the detective. “He eventually managed to stand up, and as Jose started walking away, Mr. Hernandez called out to him. When Jose turned around, Mr. Hernandez drew his gun and fired.”
Rondan sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest, resulting in his immediate death.
Ontko further testified that the defendant admitted to opening fire out of anger.
After the shooting, Hernandez fled to a nearby strip mall along Interstate 215, where he was apprehended less than an hour later. Fortunately, no one else was injured during the incident.
Court documents do not reveal Hernandez’s previous felony convictions in another jurisdiction.
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