Man, 34, Shoots Ex-Wife’s Boyfriend, Self

A 34-year-old man was in critical condition Thursday with a gunshot wound to the head after he shot his ex-wife’s boyfriend in the shoulder and then shot himself, police said.

The shooting occurred moments after Flordelino Aquino barged into the apartment of his 33-year-old former wife, Josie Aquino, about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, police Lt. Sam Allevato said.

The woman’s boyfriend, Buddy William Hayes, 43, lives in the same apartment complex and was visiting with her when her ex-husband arrived armed with two handguns, police said.

“The two men got into an altercation and there was a struggle for the gun and that’s when Hayes was shot in the shoulder,” Allevato said.

Hayes ran out into the street in front of the Creek Road apartment and was soon met by police officers. Meanwhile, Josie Aquino was inside trying to prevent her ex-husband from chasing after Hayes and shooting him again. She was not injured, police said.

“The woman blocked the door so (Aquino) turned the gun to his head and shot himself in front of his ex-wife,” Allevato said. “She was tending to him when paramedics arrived.”

Police recovered both guns near the front door of the apartment.

The Aquinos, who have two children, had been divorced for about three years. Allevato said the woman and her boyfriend had been threatened by her ex-husband in the past.

“We had been called out to the house on previous occasions on disturbances caused by the ex-husband,” Allevato said.

Both the gunman and Hayes were taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. Hayes is listed in stable condition, a hospital official said.