March 29, 2007

Murder-Suicide Takes 4 Lives

Los Angeles: A 29-year-old man shot his two daughters and his 25-year-old common-law wife then killed himself last night at a home in the 800 block of 82nd Street.

On March 28, 2007, at around 10:00 p.m., Gabriela Gonzalez returned to her residence with her 2-year-old daughter, Gabriela Melara, and Gonzalez's 15-year-old sister. Gonzalez' husband, Fredy Melara, was inside the home with their 15-month-old child, Asbel Melara.

According to the sister, who is the family's babysitter, Melara was upset at his wife when they arrived. Gonzalez entered the home with her daughter, but the babysitter remained locked outside. Amid the yelling, she heard Gonzalez scream, "Freddy! No, no," followed by the sound of gunshots. The girl ran to a neighbor's house and called police.

When the officers arrived they learned Melara was an armor car security guard who had a gun and body armor. Officers presumed Melara was barricaded inside the residence with hostages. The officers summoned SWAT.

SWAT officer scouted the home and noticed two victims down inside the home. The officers conducted an emergency entry and found Melara, both daughters, and Gonzalez shot in the head. Detectives believe Melara shot his family then turned the gun on himself.

Detectives found no prior criminal record for Melara, nor any evidence of restraining orders.