Watch CBS News

Wife Questioned After Fatal Shooting Of Bell Gardens Mayor

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say Daniel Crespo, the mayor of Bell Gardens, has died after being shot at his home in an alleged domestic dispute. He was 45.

The shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 6300 block of East Gage Avenue. Crespo was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said Crespo and his wife, Levette, were involved in an argument that turned physical, at which point his wife, authorities believe, shot him multiple times.

"Early reports are that their son, Daniel Jr., 19, tried to intervene in the argument," said Lt. Steve Jauch of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "Early information we have is that a struggled ensued between Daniel Sr. and Daniel Jr. Ultimately, the wife, Levette, produced a firearm and shot her husband multiple times."

Levette along with her son were questioned by authorities, officials said.

No arrests have been made. However, authorities said the case would be handed over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to determine if criminal charges would be filed.

Crespo married his wife in 1986 and welcomed their first child, a daughter, a year later. They were high school sweethearts.

Crespo was first elected to the Bell Gardens City Council in 2001. In 2013, he was elected mayor.

Friends told KCAL9's Brittney Hopper that Crespo lived for his community and his family.

"His wife and his kids. That was his life," said Albert Bernal, a family friend. Bernal had known Crespo for 15 years.

Meanwhile, Jauch said authorities planned to investigate whether there were any previous calls of domestic violence.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.