Man charged in 2 separate 2022 murders that happened weeks apart held on $11.1M bond
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 25-year-old man is accused of committing two separate murders within weeks of each other in 2022.
Emerson Giovanni Hernandez is charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon for a February 2022 case and murder for a March shooting that same year.
He was put on community supervision at a facility in Rusk County last August for assault.
At the time, he'd never faced a serious offense. However, while there, investigators in Harris County linked him to several unsolved crimes. Now, he is in the Harris County Jail.
Investigators say Hernandez went on a spree beginning last February when he was caught on camera killing a man he was trying to rob.
On Feb. 18, 2022, Houston Police Department officers reported that Hernandez shot two people while attempting to rob them in Midtown.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Police match shell casings from 2 shootings in Midtown that left one man dead, another injured
Hernandez allegedly approached the first victim in the 1300 block of Webster Street and demanded his belongings. When he refused, he was shot multiple times, HPD said.
Moments later, Hernandez reportedly approached a second victim, identified as Adam Phillips, in the 1300 block of Hadley Street and also demanded his things.
An altercation happened, and the fatal shooting occurred.
ABC13 obtained exclusive surveillance video showing the altercation.
"I miss him a lot, a lot," Phillips' younger sister, Nicole, said. "He was just beginning to get himself together, looking for a job, and he had just found an apartment. He was doing everything he was supposed to do."
READ MORE: New sketch shows suspect wanted for Midtown robbery shootings that left 1 dead, 1 injured
Just two weeks later, on March 4, 2022, Hernandez allegedly shot another man to death in a west Houston parking lot.
That evening, at about 7:05 p.m., two Spring Branch Police Department officers said they were working in the area when they heard multiple gunshots and responded to the 700 block of Country Place Drive.
When police arrived, they found the victim, Graylon Rucker, dead from gunshot wounds.
Hernandez was apparently in a parked truck with hazard lights flashing when he got out, walked to the parking lot, and shot Rucker multiple times.
He then got back into his truck and drove off, police said.
RELATED: HPD releases video and sketch of suspect wanted in March shooting death of man in west Houston
Further investigation identified Hernandez as the shooter in both instances after police released a composite sketch of him.
Hernandez was charged in the March shooting last month and charged on Wednesday for the February shooting.
Phillips' sister said she is grateful to know who's responsible for her brother's death. "He was real lovable," she added, as she hoped other victims would also get the justice they all deserve.
Hernandez's bond totaled to $11.1 million, but Phillips said that isn't enough.
"He doesn't need to get out on a $1 million bond, $11 million, $50 million, nothing. He never needs to come out. To do what? The same thing all over again? That doesn't make any sense. He needs to stay where he is and think about what he's doing," Nicole said.
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