Sylmar Man Fatally Shot in Apparent Domestic Dispute

Los Angeles police are investigating the fatal shooting of a Sylmar man during an apparent domestic dispute involving his wife and two sisters-in-law.

Luis Vela Jr., 39, was shot multiple times shortly after 8 p.m., and was pronounced dead at the scene in the 15000 block of Rex Street, said Detective Bob Bogison. One of Vela’s sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Huette, 25, was questioned by police and identified as a suspect. But she was released without charges pending a review of the case by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, Bogison said.

Bogison said Huette was released because it appeared that self-defense was a factor in the shooting. He said all three women feared for their lives during the argument with Vela. He said the shooting did not appear to be premeditated but was a reaction by Huette as the dispute escalated.