Son Arrested in Killing of National City Couple

A man was arrested Monday night for investigation of murder in the shooting of his father and stepmother in their National City home, police said.

The bodies of Donald Freeman, 60, and his wife Glenda, 61, were found about 10:30 a.m. Monday by friends who were worried about the couple, authorities said. Both had been shot several times.

Kenneth Freeman, 41, of El Cajon went to the National City police station voluntarily for questioning and was arrested after a long interview, said Senior Officer Rick Stark.

“A motive seems to stem from a dispute between Kenneth and his father over a successful truck repair business that they ran together,” Stark said Tuesday.

Two .22-caliber rifles were found at the couple’s home and a .22-caliber pistol, and a 9-millimeter pistol were found at Kenneth Freeman’s residence in El Cajon, Stark said. Tests were being performed to determine if any was the murder weapon, he said.

Detectives found no sign of forced entry into the couple’s brick-and-stucco home, where neighbors said the victims had lived for about 35 years.

“They were both in bed, in pajamas, and the house was somewhat ransacked,” Sgt. Tim Darton said. “Some drawer contents were spilled on the floor.”

Neighbors said they heard several gunshots sometime after 3 a.m. Monday but didn’t call police because they couldn’t tell where the shots originated.

“Shots are heard on a daily basis around here,” said a man who lives two houses away from the couple but wouldn’t give his name.

The victims’ bodies were discovered by a neighbor and two co-workers of Glenda Freeman, an Avon saleswoman, who become concerned when their typically punctual colleague missed a scheduled appointment.

The co-workers asked the neighbor to accompany them, and the three women entered the house through an unlocked side door. After finding the bodies, they called police.

Friends described Donald Freeman as an avid race-car driver who gave up the sport after a serious crash about 30 years ago and began his own mobile diesel-truck repair business.