5 Children Found in Home After Fatal Narcotics Raid

Unaware that five children were in a Montclair apartment where they were conducting a drug raid Wednesday, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a woman and critically wounded her husband, officials said.

None of the children, ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years, was injured.

Evangelina Barajas, believed to be in her 20s, died at Doctors Hospital in Montclair about 90 minutes after being wounded during the early morning raid, Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Stodelle said. Her husband, Jesus Barajas, 27, was in critical condition on a life-support system at San Bernardino County Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Stodelle said deputies from his department’s special weapons and tactics team went to the Barajas’ apartment in the 9300 block of Pradera Street to assist officers from Claremont, who had purchased drugs at the apartment and noticed firearms inside.

Forced Way In

After obtaining a search warrant, officers and deputies knocked at the front door, identifying themselves in English and Spanish. Receiving no response, they forced their way into the apartment, Stodelle said. Once inside, he continued, someone fired a rifle at the deputies from behind a door at the end of a hallway.

Deputies returned the fire, Stodelle said, and when the shooting ended, Barajas and his wife were found wounded in the room. In the room with them were four children who were unhurt.

Investigators had not determined who fired at the officers, Stodelle said.

No deputies were injured.

Another child and Barajas’ brother, Everesto Barajas, were found unhurt in another room, the lieutenant said.

Everesto Barajas was held by authorities for questioning.

Turned Over to Grandfather

The children were turned over to the custody of a grandfather, sheriff’s spokesman Jim Bryant said.

Deputies did not say whether drugs were found in the apartment, but a rifle and a handgun were recovered in the room where the shooting occurred.

Sheriff’s officials said the raid was under investigation, but added that officers appeared to have used proper procedures in entering the apartment and fired in self-defense.