Three unanswered questions about Los Angeles shooting as family ID'ed
Investigators are grappling with questions as they seek to unravel the mystery surrounding the tragic murder-suicide case that claimed the lives of four people in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at a residence in Granada Hills on Saturday evening at around 6:50pm local time.
According to the police, Rodrigo De Leon, 79, allegedly shot and killed his wife, Arabella De Leon, 80 and two children, Merceditas De Leon, 49, and Rodrigo De Leon, 53, before turning the gun on himself.
After receiving a distressing 911 call, police forced their way into the home to find two women and a man shot to death in one room and the shooter in a separate room, having succumbed to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Officers arrived at the scene around 6:50 p.m. in response to a 911 call (NBC LA)A woman with special needs, who authorities said is another daughter of the alleged killer, was also in the house and told police she survived after hiding during the shooting. Video from the scene showed a large police presence in the neighborhood as the shooting was investigated.
Speaking at a press conference, LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz said: "I don't know how much more terrifying and horrific of a scene it can be when you have four persons that are deceased. The only positive point is that you at least have one witness that has survived this incident."
Four people were found dead at the residence on Lerdo Avenue (abc7)What was the motive behind the tragedy?
Authorities so far have not released any information on the motive that led the alleged killer to shoot his own children dead before taking his own life. Neighbours and people who knew them claimed that the family seemed "normal". Fernando Flores, a UPS driver for the area who was acquainted with the family told CBS News as he stopped to leave flowers at the property: "I've been on this route for 24 years and I think they've been here even longer. They seemed like a normal family. ... So, obviously anybody would be like, 'How could that happen?'"
The LAPD later confirmed the incident as a tragic murder-suicide (abc7)How did the daughter survive?
The special needs woman, who hasn't been identified as of yet, reportedly barricaded herself in another room of the house while the horrifying scene unfolded. Although the circumstances under which the incident unfolded remain unclear, police said that it was she who contacted 911 with a distressing call, prompting emergency responders to rush to the address. Once police arrived, no one answered the front door, prompting officers to force their way inside the home where they encountered the lone survivor. She took them to the gruesome scene of what had happened.
The victims were identified as Arabella De Leon, Merceditas De Leon, and Rodrigo De Leon (abc7)For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
What circumstances led to the shootings?
The circumstances surrounding the tragic murder-suicide remain unknown, with no reports indicating whether there were any signs of conflict, noises of fighting or disturbances within the house prior to the incident. Neighbor Alvin Shafer told ABC7: "It's pretty creepy. It's like a bad horror movie."
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans in the UK operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
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