Two Men in Custody Face Multiple Charges for a Murder at a Liquor Store
Photo: Juan Vera Jr. and Bryan Hernandez
HAYWARD — Two recently arrested men have been charged in connection with an execution- style murder at a liquor store. Their residences were searched, and weapons were confiscated, when they were taken into custody.
The victim was 32-year-old Gustavo Tavera. He was fatally shot March 5 at N & M Liquor, located at 210 A Street in Hayward.
During the investigation that followed, detectives identified two suspects believed responsible for the murder. They are both residents of Hayward.
On March 15, arrest and search warrants were served by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and Hayward Police Department. Evidence recovered includes an AR-15 rifle, one shotgun, hunting rifles and handguns.
The suspects are identified as Juan M. Vera Jr., 26, and Bryan Hernandez, 22 years old. They both remain in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Neither is eligible for release on bond, pending a court hearing on April 20.
Vera faces numerous charges in connection with the liquor store shooting. His charges include murder, various weapons-related charges, and special allegations.
In addition, Vera has another unrelated criminal case pending, stemming from his arrest in October 2021. This incident involves a DUI and weapons-related charges. Altogether, Vera faces a total of 41 charges stemming from his concurrent criminal cases.
The second suspect, Hernandez has also been charged with murder. Hernandez also faces multiple weapons-related charges, and special allegations, for total of 13 separate charges.
