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Coroner Releases Report In Santa Monica Shootings

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — The alleged gunman in the Santa Monica shooting rampage died of multiple gunshot wounds fired by police, the Los Angeles County Coroner said.

The coroner Wednesday released his report detailing the cause of death for 23-year-old gunman John Zawahri; his brother, Christopher; father, Samir; Santa Monica College groundskeeper Carlos Franco and his daughter, Marcela Diaz-Franco; and Margarita Gomez.

All five victims and Zawahri died Friday.

According to the report, Samir Zawahri, 55, died from multiple gunshot wounds, while his 25-year-old son Christopher was killed by a single wound to the chest.

Both men were killed at their Santa Monica home, which was later set on fire by Zawahri, Santa Monica police said.

The suspect then carjacked a woman and forced her to drive to Santa Monica College as he shot at cars and a bus.

John Zawahri Security Footage
(credit: Santa Monica Police Dept.)

Carlos Franco, 68, and his 26-year-old daughter, Marcela, were driving when they were fatally wounded.

Franco died from gunshot wounds to the face and neck, the report said. Diaz-Franco died from a single shot to the head, the report said.

Zawahri, armed with a hand gun and assault rifle, then reportedly killed 68-year-old Margarita Gomez outside of the school's library. She suffered fatal wounds to her abdomen and face, the coroner said.

Zawahri was finally gunned down by police in the library.

Police said Monday they have determined a motive behind Friday's rampage, but were not releasing it to the public. The Los Angeles Times reported that Zawahri had large amounts of ammunition strapped to his body when he was killed.

Officials did confirm, however, that Zawahri was at student at SMC in 2010 and had a history of mental health issues.

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