Local News in Brief : Castaic Man Wounds Wife, Kills Himself

A Castaic man shot himself to death Friday night at his home after shooting his estranged wife, who is expected to live despite wounds in the head, neck and chest, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officers said Saturday.

James Elam, 61, was pronounced dead at his home by paramedics, who transported Nancy Elam, 45, by air ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills. She was in critical condition after surgery for bullet wounds, according to Sheriff’s Deputy Pete Fosselman.

Fosselman said the dead man apparently shot his wife three times before shooting himself in the head. Despite her wounds, the woman was able to call the Santa Clarita sheriff’s station on the 911 emergency system just after 9:30 p.m. to request aid, Fosselman said.

Before going into surgery, Nancy Elam told deputies that she and her husband were separated but that she went to the home in the 27500 block of West Amethyst Way to attempt a reconciliation.

She said that they began arguing, however, and her husband grabbed a gun and shot her, deputies said.