Slain Bell Gardens mayor’s son on 911 call: ‘She was defending herself’
The son of Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo told a police dispatcher that his mother was defending herself when she shot his father, according to 911 recordings released Tuesday.
Loud crying, screaming and sobbing are heard on the Sept. 30 recordings, then a caller says his parents got into an argument and that shots were fired.
"It wasn't my mom's fault," he tells the dispatcher. "She was defending herself."
The caller does not identify himself, but authorities said 19-year-old Daniel Crespo Jr. was punched in the face by his father immediately before the shooting.
"He hurt me, he hurt me," the caller said. "He's on the floor dying.... Nobody ever knew."
Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives are still investigating the fatal shooting, and have not made any arrests.
Sheriff's officials said the Crespos were arguing about 2:30 p.m. when their son intervened in their home in the 6300 block of Gage Avenue.
The mayor punched his son in the face, prompting Lyvette Crespo to grab her husband's gun and shoot him three times, sheriff's Lt. Steve Jauch said.
Detectives questioned Lyvette Crespo and her son, who were released within hours of the shooting.
The district attorney's office will ultimately decide whether to file charges.
Sheriff's officials said Daniel Crespo Jr. and his mother had visible facial injuries that required medical treatment
Eber Bayona, an attorney representing Lyvette Crespo, said his client was a years-long victim of domestic violence.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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.
