California Man Kills Wife and Daughter in Lakewood Murder-Suicide
LAKEWOOD, Calif. — A tragic shooting in a Los Angeles County home left three dead Thursday morning in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. Hector Lionel Alfaro, 52, fatally shot his wife and teenage daughter before turning the gun on himself, according to reports from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies responded around 8 a.m. to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon at a residence in Lakewood, a city approximately 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The caller, a 19-year-old woman and daughter of Alfaro, told dispatchers that her father had fired a gun at her but missed. She was found outside the home unharmed and was taken in for questioning.
Inside the residence, deputies discovered Alfaro lying on the floor of the den with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities also found the bodies of Roxana Rodriguez, 48, Alfaro’s wife, and their teenage daughter, who had been fatally shot.
While the investigation is ongoing, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is treating the incident as a murder-suicide. Such domestic tragedies, while rare, underscore the critical importance of addressing family violence and mental health issues. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to work closely with local agencies to provide support to surviving family members and community members affected by the incident.
Lakewood, part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, has seen various efforts to reduce gun violence, including community outreach programs and partnerships with organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Firearm Injury Prevention initiative. Despite these efforts, incidents like this highlight ongoing challenges.
Authorities urge anyone experiencing domestic violence or mental health crises to seek help immediately. Resources such as the USA.gov Domestic Violence Resources provide critical information and contacts for those in need.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not released further details about the motive or circumstances leading up to the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation. They encourage anyone with additional information to contact their office.
This devastating event adds to the national conversation about gun violence and family safety. For more information on firearm safety and prevention, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offers guidance and resources.
As the community mourns, officials emphasize the importance of vigilance and support networks to prevent future tragedies.
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