Cause of death on 9 victims unclear
Autopsies of the nine people killed in a Christmas Eve shooting and explosion in Covina have been completed, but coroner’s officials have not been able to determine a primary cause of death for any of the victims.
All died of multiple injuries, including thermal burns and gunshot wounds, as well as smoke inhalation, said Ed Winter, assistant chief of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Family members have said that at least one victim, 17-year-old Michael Ortiz, died from the fire caused by the explosion and was not shot.
Police said Bruce Jeffrey Pardo drove to his former in-laws’ house and fired repeatedly at those gathered at a Christmas Eve party. After the shootings, using a pressurized fuel tank disguised as a Christmas package, Pardo sprayed what police described as high-octane racing fuel around the house and set it afire.
Although coroner’s officials have not identified the victims, family members say Pardo’s ex-wife, Sylvia Ortega; her parents, Joseph Ortega, 80, and Alicia Ortega, 70; her two brothers and their wives; her sister, Alicia Ortiz; and Alicia Ortiz’s son, Michael, died in the shooting.
Police said Pardo fled the house with severe burns after the Santa outfit he was wearing seared into his flesh.
Pardo drove to his brother’s home 40 miles away in Sylmar, where he committed suicide. Coroner’s officials said there was an exit wound at the top of Pardo’s head, suggesting that he put the gun in his mouth before pulling the trigger.
Authorities say Pardo was found with $17,000 in cash strapped to his body and airline tickets for an out-of-state flight. The rental car he used to flee from the shooting was found several blocks from his brother’s home. The vehicle had been booby-trapped with a trip wire that would ignite a fire and explode 200 rounds of ammunition.
Divorce records indicated a bitter split that climaxed last month at a hearing in which Pardo’s ex-wife was granted a cash settlement and custody of the couple’s dog, Saki.
--
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
