4 Found Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide In Pomona
POMONA (CBSLA.com) — The deaths of four people whose bodies were found inside a Pomona home were being investigated as a murder-suicide, police said Friday.
Police said the 28-year-old suspect, identified by family members as "Raul," called a relative about 11 p.m. Thursday and said he was going to hurt himself, and others inside the home in the 2100 block of Ramsey Street.
When officers arrived on scene, they found "Raul" dead in the same room as his girlfriend, MaryAnn Padilla.
"This could have happened within 30 seconds easily, from one room to the next to the next room without anyone knowing what had just happened," said Lt. Mike Keltner of the Pomona Police Department.
The bodies of MaryAnn's mother and brother were found in their bedrooms. They were identified by friends and family as 52-year-old Manuela Padilla and 17-year-old Juan Padilla, respectively.
Police said a handgun was recovered near the suspect's body and is believed to be the murder weapon.
"He said he couldn't live without her but I never would have thought he would have taken my family," April Mejia, the victim's sister, told CBS2's Cristy Fajardo.
Neighbor Leonardo Pina said, "the boyfriend and girlfriend were going through tough times and she was going to leave him, so maybe that triggered that."
"He loved her. I know that so I really don't know what their issues were," Mejia said.
Classmates of Juan Padilla at Palomares Academy wrote on social media, "everyone is crying." They remembered him as an "awesome friend" who was "always happy."
Loved ones say Manuela Padilla was a baker and was proud of her youngest daughter, who was following in her footsteps.
Police have not released the name of the alleged gunman or a motive behind the murders.
Crystal Cruz, reporting for KCAL9, said there was an emotional vigil held outside the Padilla home Friday evening.
More then 100 people attended and Cruz said most were in disbelief and all were asking "Why did this happen?"
