Neighbors, Co-Workers Shocked To Learn OC Man Fatally Shot His Wife

LAGUNA NIGUEL (CBSLA.com) — Neighbors and co-workers say they're shocked to learn that a young woman was fatally shot by her husband in their Laguna Niguel apartment.

Johanah Wade, 24, was shot around 1:30 a.m. Friday at the Niguel Summit apartment complex in the 30000 block of Pacific Island Drive, according to Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

A neighbor told CBS2/KCAL9's Art Barron that she heard one gunshot.

Wade suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to Mission Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Amormino said.

The victim's husband, Kyle Wade, was questioned and released pending further investigation. Investigators say he's a person of interest in the case.

Detectives have not yet deemed Wade's death an accident or a homicide.

"Everyone loved her. She had the best personality anyone could ever ask for," said Stephanie Sempertegui, a dental hygienist who worked with Wade at Serene Dental Center in Irvine.

Wade was working towards becoming a dental hygienist.

"Johanah was a wonderful dental assistant and she was just loved by everyone at the office. She was very hard-working and very driven," Dr. Al Mansauri said. "I'm just still kind of, just in shock and don't believe it really happened."

Mansauri said Wade's husband split his time working at a gun shop and as a construction worker.

Neighbors said they couldn't imagine Johanah hurting anyone and were of the impression that it was an accidental shooting.

"Nicest guy, him and his wife seemed to be in love with each other, wonderful neighbor, never heard anything out of him, anything at all," Niguel Summit resident Todd Nealeigh said.

An autopsy was performed Friday. Once the Coroner's investigation is complete the OCSD will review the case.

Wade's funeral is scheduled for Feb. 2 at Pacific Hills Calvary Chapel.

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