The People are seeking a sentence of 35 years to life in prison 

January 28, 2025 – LOS ANGELES, CA – District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that a man pleaded no contest on Monday to first-degree murder in the killing of University of Southern California student Victor McElhaney during an attempted robbery in March 2019.

“This no contest plea ensures that the individual responsible for the senseless and tragic murder of Victor McElhaney will face the consequence of his actions,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Victor was a promising young 21-year-old university student, a talented drummer and active member of USC’s Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, whose life was cut short by an act of pure violence. Our office will aggressively seek accountability for those who threaten the safety of our communities, and we will not tolerate such heinous crimes.”

Ivan Hernandez (29) also admitted he personally used a gun in case BA479107. The People are seeking a sentence of 35 years to life in prison. Sentencing was continued to April 30, 2025, in Dept. 104 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On March 10, 2019, Hernandez fatally shot Victor McElhaney, 21, about a mile from the USC campus. The defendant was trying to rob the victim and a group of his friends. McElhaney was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.

The case was prosecuted by trial Deputy District Attorney Brian Kang of the Major Crimes Division, under the leadership of John McKinney, Director of the Bureau of Specialized Prosecutions, and Head Deputy Craig Hum.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney