Police Identify Man Who Killed Ex-Girlfriend, Self : Violence: Witnesses said he shot his way into the apartment he once shared with her. After chasing her outside he shot her to death as her son shouted for help.

A man who shot his former girlfriend to death in an apartment courtyard and then killed himself with the same gun was identified Monday as Robert Anthony Chelton, 46.

He died of a gunshot wound to the head about 1 p.m. Sunday in the 16000 block of Harbor Boulevard, Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini said.

Witnesses said Chelton had leaped over a wall and shot the lock off a sliding glass door to enter the apartment he had shared with Kathleen Jo Phelps, 48. One shot reportedly hit her in the hand.

Phelps fled out her front door to the courtyard as Chelton chased her.

Phelps’ son, 24-year-old Matthew Albert Phelps, followed them and was heard screaming, “He’s trying to kill my mom!”

Witnesses said they heard several shots and saw Phelps fall into the bushes just a few feet from the manager’s office. After the gunman briefly inspected her body, he put the .38-caliber revolver to his head and fired a single shot.

In voter registration records, Chelton listed himself as a truck driver and Phelps listed her occupation as a painter.

Neighbors said Chelton had moved out of the apartment on Saturday and that Phelps had changed the locks.

Phelps, who was divorced, is survived by her son and a daughter.

The Pacific Woods apartment complex is in an unincorporated area near Harbor Boulevard and Edinger Avenue, just outside Fountain Valley.