Dad Disabled Airbags Before Fatal Crash

"CASTAIC, CA — The theory that a Lancaster man deliberately killed himself and his two children by slamming his car into a parked truck on Interstate 5 was bolstered by the discovery of airbag sensors apparently removed from the vehicle, a homicide detective said Wednesday.

"Alan Dean Edwards, 46, and his two children—Erick Dean Edwards, 8, and Alona Marie Edwards, 5—were killed instantly early Monday when the car driven by Edwards rammed into a semi-truck and trailer parked legally off the I-5 north of Castaic, according to the county coroner.

"When asked Wednesday if the crash was a murder/suicide, sheriff’s homicide Lt. Eddie Hernandez replied, `It’s starting to look that way.`

"Detectives searched the Edwards home Tuesday and found two airbag sensors left in `a conspicuous place,` suggesting the devices that trigger the release of life-saving airbags had been deliberately removed from the 1997 Honda Accord Alan Edwards was driving.

"`It was kind of like a statement,` Hernandez said of the placement of the relay sensors.

"The crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m. Monday on the southbound side of the I-5 at the Whittaker Brake Check, an area where truckers can pull out of lanes to check their brakes before a five-mile downgrade.

"The Yuba City driver of a 2006 Freightliner and utility semi-trailer was parked legally in the brake check area and taking a nap when Edwards’ white Honda slammed into the back of his trailer, shearing off the top of the car. The truck driver was not injured.

"Investigators with both the CHP and the coroner’s department concluded the crash was deliberate and that Edwards purposely drove around obstacles in his path before the collision, Hernandez said Tuesday."

From signalscv.com...

"Caring And Sharing Gentleman" Kills Dancer, Self

"LOS ANGELES, CA — A rapper who was part of Floyd Mayweather's crew, `The Money Team,` was one of two people found dead in an apparent murder/suicide at the Palazzo apartments in Los Angeles Monday.

"Authorities say an LAPD SWAT team responded to the Palazzo apartment complex at Park La Brea in the 300 block of Hauser Boulevard at about 7:30 a.m. Officers heard shots fired and a woman screaming, according to police.

"SWAT officers went inside the apartment.

"`They made entry into a locked door inside the residence, which is where they found two decedents of apparent gunshot wounds,` said LAPD Sgt. Barry Montgomery.

"A weapon was recovered at the scene.

"The initial investigation revealed that 34-year-old Earl Warren Hayes shot his wife, 30-year-old VH1 `Hit the Floor` star Stephanie Elyse Moseley, to death and then took his own life, the LAPD said in a news release Monday night. Hayes and Moseley were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, police said.

"`Very caring and sharing gentleman, so this is all new to anyone that would know Earl Hayes,` said Burrel Wilks, Hayes' friend and life coach."

From 7online.com...

Police Force Entry, Find Bodies Of Elderly Couple

"OAKLAND, CA — An 86-year-old man fatally shot his 72-year-old wife and then himself in an apparent murder/suicide sometime on Monday in the couple's Broadway Terrace home, police said.

"The couple, identified as Mike and Jackie Fitzgerald, were found about 8 p.m. Monday after a relative asked police to do a well-being check.

"Police forced their way into the residence on 6210 Broadway Terrace, near Highway 13, and found the couple both dead from gunshot wounds in the living room, Oakland police Sgt. Michael Cardoza said Tuesday.

"Cardoza said no notes were found and police are trying to establish a motive for the shootings. He said Mike Fitzgerald may have had some health issues.

"Police have classified the deaths as a murder and suicide, Cardoza said.

"Police said the couple had been married 25 years and had lived in the house for many years.

"They were last seen alive Sunday and seemed in good spirits police were told.

"Police said a relative tried to call them numerous times on Monday and when that was unsuccessful went to the home. Police were called when the relative could not get in."

From mercurynews.com...

Murder Suspect Slams SUV Into Concrete Wall

"ANAHEIM, CA — A man died in a fiery crash next to the 91 Freeway in Anaheim following a police chase Monday night, and authorities believe he is the suspect in a homicide investigation in Tustin.

"According to Lt. Jeff Hallock with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, deputies were called to a home on 18411 Warren Avenue between Newport and Holt avenues in Tustin for unknown trouble around 7 p.m.

"When they arrived, they found a woman, identified as 55-year-old Lahoma Ballester, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

"Hallock said investigators then learned about a white SUV believed to be related to the incident, and the information was provided to neighboring law enforcement agencies in the county.

"Santa Ana police found a vehicle matching the description and tried to make a traffic stop, but the driver kept going and a short pursuit ensued, Hallock said. The male driver was killed when he slammed the SUV into a sound wall at Rio Vista and Frontera streets in Anaheim.

"Investigators say they believe the collision with the wall was intentional because the driver accelerated and failed to brake right before impact.

"The coroner has not identified the driver, but authorities believe he is the suspect in Ballester's murder. According to investigators, the suspect and victim knew each other. They say the suspect has a child with the victim's daughter."

From abc7.com...

Two Dead During Custody Exchange

"MISSION VIEJO, CA — On Halloween night a man fatally shot a woman who was meeting him for a custody exchange, then killed himself, in the parking lot of a Mission Viejo apartment complex, authorities said Saturday.

"Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a call of shots fired about 8:35 p.m. Friday near the Camden Crown Valley Apartments at 26891 La Alameda, said OCSD Lt. Jeff Hallock.

"Scott E. Gimbel, 50, of Mission Viejo, and Linda Sachs Gimbel, 44, of San Clemente, were found dead from gunshot wounds.

"Two children, ages 7 and 13, were in a car nearby, Hallock said. The older child dialed 911.

"Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene."

Source: ocregister.com...

Two Dead In Boutique Shooting

"SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A man and woman were found dead Saturday afternoon inside a high-end boutique in downtown San Clemente after reports of a shooting, authorities said.

"A preliminary investigation indicated the deaths were the result of a murder/suicide, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

"No one was being sought in connection with the incident, which occurred at Bliss Boutique, on 167 Avenida Del Mar, said sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.

"Deputies responded to the clothing store about 2:01 p.m. and were contacted by an employee who said a shooting was taking place inside the business, the OCSD said. The department’s SWAT and crisis-negotiation teams were then summoned to the scene.

"Erin Delaney said she was near the shop shortly after law-enforcement personnel arrived.

“`When we walked around the corner, we met the girl that was the one witness,` Delaney said. `She was talking to one of the police officers about how the man walked in with a briefcase and … walked to the owner, who was in the back. Then she heard six gunshots and grabbed her cellphone and ran.`

"About 2:40 p.m., specially-trained deputies entered the building and discovered the bodies of the man and woman, Hallock said. It was not immediately clear how the two people may have been related. Their names were not released, pending notification of family.

"The intersection of Avenida Del Mar and North Ola Vista was closed as an investigation continued."

From KTLA...

A House To Die For

"LA QUINTA, CA — Authorities say an argument between three siblings over who inherited their mother’s house in the Palm Springs area led one of them to shoot the other two before turning the gun on himself.

"Riverside County sheriff’s spokesman Michael Manning [told reporters] Thursday that 55-year-old Robert Bertrand shot and killed 61-year-old brother Rick Bertrand and shot and seriously wounded his sister Sunday at the home in La Quinta.

"Manning says the sister, whose name has not been released, was able to get into her car and drive away. She was later found in the car by deputies and remains in critical condition four days later.

"The Sheriff’s Department did not elaborate on the argument. County records show the deed is under the name of the alleged shooter, Robert Bertrand."

From the Manteca Bulletin...

Slasher Kills Himself After Knife Attack On Woman

"PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man who died last week after he attacked his roommate, stabbed her and then used the same knife to inflict fatal injuries on himself, authorities said Thursday.

"Thomas E. Judkins, 36, died in what Sonoma County Sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha on Thursday described as an `attempted murder\suicide.`

“`I don’t think he thought she would survive,` Focha said.

"Judkins was found dead last Friday in the driveway of the house he shared with the woman on the corner of Marshall Avenue and Shady Lane, just west of Petaluma. Judkins had moved to the area from Essex Junction, Vt.

"Only one knife was found at the scene. Focha described the weapon as an 8-inch tanto-style knife with a 4-inch blade.

"Authorities have not identified the roommate because she was the victim of a violent crime. She initially was being treated at a hospital for extensive injuries suffered in the attack. Focha said Thursday she could not release more information about the woman’s condition.

"The woman’s young daughter also lived at the house but she was not there at the time of the attack. She is now being cared for by family members."

Source: The Press Democrat...

Two Found Dead At Self-Storage Facility

"BURBANK, CA — A man was killed and a woman injured today in a shooting at a self-storage facility in Burbank.

"Paramedics were sent to 3615 San Fernando Blvd. at 12:49 p.m., according to Capt. Peter Hendrickson of the Burbank Fire Department.

"The man died at the scene and the woman was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, Hendrickson said. Their names were not immediately released.

"Burbank police Officer Joshua Kendrick said late this afternoon that there `did not appear to be any outstanding suspects,` adding that he could not rule out a murder/suicide. The relationship, if any, between the man and woman was unclear, he said."

From postperiodical.com...

Police Make Last Call On Troubled Address

"SAN FRANSISCO, CA — A woman who was shot in San Francisco last Friday by a man who then took his own life succumbed to her injuries on Monday, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

"The woman, identified by the medical examiner’s office as 35-year-old Cecilia Lam, of San Francisco, was shot around 5 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of Natoma Street, police said.

"Lam was shot by Cedric Young Jr., 29, following a series of domestic disturbances at the residence the two shared together. Young then shot himself to death, police said.

"Investigators said the incident was a culmination of a series of calls at the home during the previous two days. Officers responded at about 8:30 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 10 p.m. and arrested Young on suspicion of public intoxication.

"He was taken to county jail and later released.

"Officers responded again to the home around 4 a.m. and encountered Young, who told them he wanted to get some of his belongings from the home. Officers stayed at the scene while Young retrieved some items and left.

"He apparently returned and forced his way into the apartment, where he shot Lam and himself, police said. Lam was taken to San Francisco General Hospital in critical condition and died Monday.

"Police had arrested Young in 2012 on suspicion of domestic violence, but the case was later dropped. Police are still investigating how he obtained the gun prior to Friday’s shooting."

From sfbay.ca...

Friends No More

"ARROWBEAR, CA — A young man shot a friend and then turned the gun on himself in a home in the community of Arrowbear west of Big Bear Lake, sheriff's officials said.

"The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department received a report of a missing person at 7:41 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, and went to investigate a home in the 32000 block of Arrowbear Drive, a sheriff's news release stated.

"When deputies arrived, they found two men, later identified as 24-year-old Running Springs resident Jesse Robert Fischer and 23-year-old Arrowbear resident Zakery James McCoy, dead with gunshot wounds inside the home, the release stated.

"Investigators determined Fischer shot McCoy and then shot himself."

From pe.com...

"This One's Kind Of Sticky"

"LOS ANGELES, CA — Two men died in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Los Angeles early Sunday after one of the men was shot trying to wrest control of a handgun from the other, who then appeared to turn the weapon on himself, authorities said.

"The shootings occurred about 1 a.m. in the 400 block of East 138th Street, a few miles east of Compton, authorities said.

"The victims were hanging out with a group of people in front of a residential building when one man pulled out a handgun, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Another man who tried to grab the gun was shot.

"The gunman then appeared to turn the handgun on himself, according to the sheriff's statement.

"The first gunshot victim died at the scene, authorities said. The gunman was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries. No other injuries were reported

"Los Angeles County Coroner’s Lt. Larry Dietz identified Dominique Barnett, 24, of Los Angeles, as the man who died at the scene and Jerrod Taylor, 23, also of Los Angeles, as the man who died at the hospital.

"Authorities said they don't know whether the shootings were accidental or if the gunman was attempting to commit murder or suicide. It's unclear what relationship the men had.

"`This one's kind of sticky,` said Sgt. Edmundo Hummel of the Sheriff's Department Headquarters Bureau. `They're trying to figure out what happened and we won't know for a while.`

"Sheriff's deputies found a handgun at the site of the shooting."

Source: LA Times...

Couple Found Dead, Baby Unharmed And Alone

"ANAHEIM, CA — Anaheim police have released the identities of two people who died in a suspected murder-suicide on Friday.

"Police said in a department statement that the bodies of Natalie Rangel-Diaz and John Thomas Diaz, both 32, were found on the first floor of the home on 744 S. Morningstar Drive.

"The discovery was reported about 8:30 a.m.

"The two were married and both died of gunshot wounds.

"Police said woman’s parents had come to the home to babysit their 7-month-old granddaughter, who was found unharmed.

"The child has been placed in protective custody pending a follow-up by the County of Orange Social Services, police said.

"Police also said they are not seeking any suspects in the case. No arrests were made."

From CBS LA...

Wife Dodges Bullet, Husband In Critical Condition

"GARDEN GROVE, CA — A 40-year-old man shot himself in the stomach after he tried to kill his wife during an argument early Wednesday at their Garden Grove home, police said.

"Officers were called shortly after 1:30 a.m. to a home in the 12200 block of Pearce Avenue for a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach, Garden Grove police Lt. Ben Stauffer said.

"Officers found Fermin Soto in the garage with a loaded .22 caliber Ruger rifle nearby, Stauffer said. Soto was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he had emergency surgery and is in critical condition, he said.

"The investigation revealed that while Soto and his wife were discussing their marriage and the need to separate, he held the rifle to his head and said he was going to kill himself, Stauffer said. When his wife tried to take the rifle away from him, it went off into the ceiling, he said.

“`The wife ran away from Soto at that time and he fired one round at her, but missed her,` Stauffer said, adding that Soto then apparently shot himself once in the stomach.

"The couple’s two teenage daughters were home at the time, but were unharmed, Stauffer said. A temporary restraining order has been issued against Soto, he said."

Source: ocregister.com...

One Dead, One On Life Support After Backyard Shooting

"RICHMOND, CA — A man who was fatally shot by his nephew in the backyard of his Richmond home Monday has been identified as 45-year-old single father Jesus Gil.

"Police believe the nephew, who hasn’t been identified, turned the gun on himself after shooting Gil about noon in the 1300 block of Mariposa Street. The nephew remains on life support, police Lt. Andre Hill said Tuesday.

"Alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, Hill added.

"One of Gil’s adult sons witnessed the shooting and called 911.

"Gil was the single father of four and a widower, according to the Contra Costa Times. Stunned neighbors told [reporters] Gil was always friendly and someone who often helped out his neighbors with various home improvement projects."

Source: Richmond Standard...

SWAT Officers Find Dying Pair In Home

"SACRAMENTO, CA — Sacramento police say officers responded to an apparent murder/suicide Wednesday morning after dispatchers received a call from a man who said he had just shot his wife and said he was going to take his own life.

"Moments later, police said, dispatchers heard what sounded like a single gunshot, and officers rushed to the home in the 6300 block of Glenhills Way, near Elder Creek Road and 65th Street Expressway, in the southeastern area of the city.

"Police Department spokesman Officer Justin Brown said the call was received about 10:40 a.m.

"Officers evacuated several nearby houses and awaited the arrival of a SWAT team to deal with the threat.

"SWAT officers entered the home and found a man and woman who were critically injured. Medics declared both dead at the scene. Their names have not been released pending a coroner’s investigation and notification of family.

"The preliminary investigation revealed that the man, in his 60s, appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Police Department news release. The woman, in her 50s, also appeared to have suffered fatal gunshot injuries."

Source: Sacto911...

Man, Woman, Dog Dead In Condo Shooting

"CLOVIS, CA — The bodies of two adults were found Friday in a Clovis condominium, and police are investigating their deaths as an apparent murder/suicide.

"Clovis police said a despondent man made a 911 call just after 5 p.m. and claimed he had just shot a family member and was preparing to shoot himself. Sgt. Vince Weibert said the man told the 911 dispatcher that he had shot his wife and dog.

"Dozens of police vehicles closed off the main entrance to the Tollhouse Village condominiums on Tollhouse Lane near Fowler Avenue. Some of the armor-clad officers wielded a riot shield and high-powered rifles, and one carried a massive metal battering ram. Neighbors assembled behind yellow tape a few hundred feet from the crime scene.

"Sgt. Jim Koch said that officers entered the home after a wait of over two hours and found the two dead adults. Both had been shot.

"Police did not immediately release the names of the two dead people pending notification of family and the continuing investigation. Saturday afternoon, Sgt. Jim Koch said an autopsy is pending and said the preliminary investigation indicates this was a murder-suicide."

Source: Fresno Bee...

Bodies Found On Boat

"VALLEJO, CA — Vallejo police confirmed Wednesday that a couple found in a boat earlier this week died as a result of a murder/suicide.

"Timothy Murray, 41, apparently shot his wife, Jade Murray, 42, before turning the weapon on himself, Vallejo police Capt. Jim O'Connell said.

"The couple was discovered at about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday when officers went to the couple's boat, parked at Dock C in the Vallejo Municipal Marina, 42 Harbor Way, after a request for a welfare check. Jade Murray's relative was concerned after not being able to get in touch with either of the couple for several days, police added.

"When they entered the boat, the officers found the couple with gunshot wounds. They also found the weapon, which was consistent with the shooting, nearby Timothy Murray, O'Connell said.

"The couple had been married for about three years, and had history of domestic violence when they were living at the Glen Cove Marina, he said. A business owner in the area also said that the couple had just recently moved to the Vallejo Marina.

"It was not immediately known when the actually shooting took place before officers found the bodies."

Source: Times-Herald...

Six Kids Orphaned After Murder/Suicide

"DAIRYVILLE, CA — Tehama County Sheriff's deputies responded to what turned out to be an apparent murder/suicide on Sunday morning.

"Investigators said it happened on Electric Ave. off Highway 99 in Dairyville, a small community southeast of Red Bluff.

"Deputies said a man shot his wife in the stomach, then turned the gun on himself. When deputies arrived, they found a woman in the driveway. She was transported to the hospital, but was pronounced dead.

"There were six children in the home. All of them are now in protective custody."

From kcrtv.com...

Car Crash Results From Botched Murder/Suicide

"LODI, CA — The San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office has released the name of a woman who was pronounced dead at the scene of a single car collision on Thursday afternoon, on East Kettleman Lane, between Locust Tree and Tretheway roads.

"The 23-year-old woman, identified as Ying Ka Lor of Fresno, was found dead in the vehicle from a gunshot wound on Wednesday afternoon.

"The man in the vehicle, who has not yet been identified, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound.

"San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office investigators are treating the case as a murder/attempted suicide.

"The investigation is ongoing."

From target="_blank"lodinews.com...