Dad Killed in Front of His Family

A 31-year-old man was fatally shot in front of his horrified family by intruders who talked their way into the Santa Ana home Monday morning, police said. The assailants escaped with only a black handbag that contained no money.

A man and woman who said they were selling fruit entered the two-bedroom Central Avenue apartment Juan Gomez shared with his brother, their spouses and two young children, investigators said. The intruders tied up the adults and searched the apartment for money, police said. When Gomez began to break free, one of the intruders shot him several times in the chest, then fled.

“There was a struggle,” said Police Sgt. Raul Luna. “One of the suspects started shooting.”

Paramedics responding to 911 calls about 11:15 a.m. took Gomez to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The assailants were still free late Monday, police said.

“[The handbag] belonged to the victim’s wife, but we’re not clear if it was taken intentionally or by mistake,” Luna said. The female intruder left her own purse in the apartment, he said.

The man and woman, both carrying handguns, ran to Adams Park. Officers searched unsuccessfully through the afternoon on foot, by helicopter and later with a bloodhound.

While police kept the family sequestered in the garage of their triplex Monday afternoon, relatives and neighbors waited outside. Gomez, a factory worker, and his family had lived there about five years, they said. He and his wife, Perla, had a 3-year-old son who lived with them, along with Gomez’s brother, and his wife and their 3-year-old son, neighbors said.

Luna said Gomez also had three small children from a previous marriage.

Brother-in-law Facundo Gonzales of Costa Mesa said he was called by the family soon after the shooting but was not allowed to see them during the police investigation. He said he did not know how he would break the news to his wife, Gomez’s sister, who was at work in Newport Beach. “She was very close to him,” he said. “All of them are very close.”

Next-door neighbor Fabiola Ramos said Gomez was very friendly and tranquil. She was kept from her apartment while the investigation continued.

“We had a friendship based on being neighbors,” she said.

Another neighbor said her children played with Gomez’s son and nephew.

“I know them as good people,” Dolores Membreno said as she stood in the driveway next door, surrounded by reporters and photographers. “I came to see how they were doing, but we don’t know anything. I feel bad for them.”

Police described the male intruder as Latino, 19 or 20 years old, 5-feet-6 or -7 with a medium build. He was wearing a black baseball cap, white T-shirt and black pants. The female intruder, a Latina, is about 27 years old, 5-feet-7 with long dark hair, Luna said. She was wearing a dark shirt and dark-blue sweatpants. Composite drawings of the two are expected to be released today, Luna said.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about the incident call them at (714) 245-8700 or (714) 245-8390.