Man Kills Self After Shooting Woman, Child

A 24-year-old woman and her toddler clung to life Thursday after her ex-boyfriend--a jealous and possessive man whom she feared--ambushed and shot them, then killed himself.

Maritza Solis was coming home from her sister’s birthday party Wednesday night with her mother and 22-month-old son when her ex-boyfriend, Angel Vega, stepped out of the bushes onto the driveway of her East Los Angeles home.

In the past, Vega had tried to choke her. He swore he wouldn’t let her be with anyone else. He threatened to kill her and himself.

This time, he didn’t say anything. He just stood in front of her, raised a gun and fired, shooting her in the head.

“Mommy, mommy!” screamed their son, Angel Jr., throwing himself on his mother’s body.

Vega headed across the street, turned back and shot the toddler in the head, police said. Then he turned the gun on himself. He died at the scene.

On Thursday, Solis and her son struggled for their lives at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Her condition was extremely grave, while his was listed as critical but stable, a hospital spokeswoman said.

A restraining order had been issued against Vega, a 25-year-old from East Los Angeles, who had been arrested in July on charges of spousal assault.

On Thursday, Solis’ parents held vigil at the hospital, where doctors told them that it would take a miracle to save their daughter, relatives said. Stunned family and friends gathered at the Solis family’s tangerine-colored stucco house in City Terrace, trying to comprehend the attack.

“Everyone knew she was scared of him,” said Solis’ brother-in-law, Juan Munoz, 33, as he washed the blood off the driveway with a garden hose. “But this . . . “

Solis and Vega had been dating for about four years when she became increasingly frightened by his violent temper and tried to break up with him this summer, relatives said.

“She was really afraid of him,” said Mary Lou Solis, 28, Maritza’s sister. “She was afraid to go out. She thought he was going to hurt her again.”

Vega repeatedly called her, telling her to give him another chance, her sister said. “He said he really loved her and wasn’t going to let anyone else be with her.”

On July 25, he went to Solis’ home, wanting to talk about the relationship, and began choking her, family members said. He stopped only when Solis told him she loved him.

Solis called the police. Vega was arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault. On Aug. 23 he was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with credit for some time served, received three years’ probation and was directed to complete a yearlong domestic violence counseling course, according to Sheriff’s Department officials. Solis also received a restraining order against him.

On Wednesday night, Solis had no time to react or call police, family members said.

Arturo Solis, Maritza’s 16-year-

old brother, was in the house when he heard gunfire outside about 9:30 p.m. He ran to the door and saw his sister’s body in the driveway, her toddler lying on top of her, crying. Solis’ mother stood next to them, screaming.

He can’t escape that image, he said Thursday.

“I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it. He said he loved her, but look at what he did.”

Solis, a bubbly, outgoing woman who worked as a receptionist, doted on her son, her brother said.

“She just wanted to take care of her baby and have a good life,” he said. “But it didn’t happen that way.”