Deputy Slain; Girlfriend’s Ex-Husband Arrested

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy who was moving in with a woman deputy was shot and killed Tuesday by the woman’s former husband, who then surrendered to police in Van Nuys, authorities said.

John Thompson, 33, was pronounced dead at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, said Deputy Carrie Stewart, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities identified the alleged gunman as Baudilio Perez, 31, former husband of Deputy Angela Perez, 31. He appeared at the Los Angeles Police Department station in Van Nuys about two hours after the slaying and told officers he was wanted for murder in the Santa Clarita Valley, police said.

Thompson was an eight-year veteran who had been working out of the Sheriff’s Temple Station and Angela Perez worked at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, said Deputy Henry Garza.

Baudilio Perez’ hometown and occupation were not yet known but he is not a law enforcement officer, Garza said.

The shooting occurred about 1:30 p.m. in the house in the 25100 block of Atwood Boulevard, authorities said. Thompson and Angela Perez had recently bought the property and had begun moving in Saturday, according to a maid, who declined to give her name. She said the couple were there Tuesday to check up on her cleaning and further prepare the house.

Angela Perez had two children and had been living with relatives, the maid said.

The shooting occurred after Baudilio Perez showed up at the house and confronted his ex-wife, said Deputy Elsa Avila. Thompson was hit once in the upper torso.

After Baudilio Perez showed up in the Van Nuys station, officers called the Sheriff’s Department and confirmed he was wanted in connection with a killing, said LAPD Sgt. George Villegas. He said officers did not arrest Baudilio Perez but held him for about half an hour until deputies from the Santa Clarita sheriff’s station arrived to make the arrest.

Detectives found the weapon which was apparently used in the killing on Baudilio Perez, Garza said. The gun was neither deputy’s service revolver, he said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Trish Cohen--a neighbor who was just getting out of her car as the crime occurred--said she heard screams and male and female voices raised inside the house followed by a popping sound.

Some neighbors said they heard about three shots.

Moments later Cohen said a man ran out of the house yelling at her: “You better run in there! Someone has just been shot!”

The man was followed by a woman who neighbors said was Angela Perez screaming, “Please, call 911!” before running back into the house.

Residents of the well-kept, middle class neighborhood described the area as a safe community in which at least three other peace officers live.

“It’s a quiet neighborhood,” said Carol Quinn, who lives two doors from the shooting. “Any time there’s a hassle, one of the three guys are there to put it down,” she said, referring to the resident cops.

Cardenas is a staff writer; Sandoval is a correspondent. Times staff writer Solomon Moore also contributed to this story.