Man Killed, Wife Wounded When 3 Intruders Open Fire at Birthday Party
Three gunmen stormed into a back-yard birthday party early Monday and opened fire, killing a 21-year-old teacher’s aide and leaving his wife critically wounded.
Joel Davalos died in the gunfire. His wife, Sylvia, 21, also a teacher’s aide, remained in critical condition at Western Medical Center here Monday night.
“There is no apparent reason for the shooting . . . no provocation whatsoever,” Police Lt. Robert Helton said. “There’s nothing that indicates a gang scenario, and we have absolutely zero explanation at this point as to why these guys came into the yard and started shooting.”
The victims were at a birthday barbecue with two other couples, Helton said. The Davaloses were sitting on a patio at 12:29 a.m. when the gunmen moved up the alley facing the yard and opened fire, Helton said.
“Without any warning, one or more of the suspects began shooting,” Helton said. “Both Mr. and Mrs. Davalos were struck in the stomach.”
One couple and their year-old daughter, who was asleep at the time, were not injured. The third couple had gone to buy beer for the party.
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