A married couple and their young son were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside a burning home in Maywood, Los Angeles, on Sept. 5. Firefighters extinguished a blaze that investigators say began on the first floor, and deputies located three victims—a man and woman in their late 40s and a boy under 10—who were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities recovered a firearm, described the case as "domestic violence in nature," and said early findings suggest the father may have been the shooter. The LASD Homicide Bureau is urging anyone with information to call (323) 890-5500.
Maywood Family Found Dead in Burning Home; Apparent Gunshot Wounds Under Investigation
5000 block of East 61st Street in Maywood, CaliforniaCredit: Google
A married couple and their young son were found dead inside a burning home in Maywood, Los Angeles, on Sept. 5 after first responders extinguished a structure fire, authorities said.
What Happened
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and Los Angeles firefighters responded to reports of a house fire at about 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Sept. 5. Crews extinguished flames that investigators told ABC7 began on the home's first floor, then searched the residence for victims.
Inside a bedroom officers discovered three unresponsive people: a man in his late 40s, a woman in her late 40s and a male child under the age of 10. All three showed apparent gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Their identities have not been publicly released.
Los Angeles Fire DepartmentCredit: Getty
Investigation Details
The LASD described the case as appearing to be "domestic violence in nature," and a firearm was recovered at the scene. LASD Lieutenant Eric Arias told reporters that early findings indicate the father may have been the shooter, according to CBS News. Investigators continue to probe what led to the shooting and the subsequent fire.
"I woke up to this news — my father told me. It's so sad," local resident Miguel Reynoso told KTLA. Reynoso also noted concern that a neighboring house operates as a childcare center and said he feared what might have happened if the blaze had spread.
Community Impact and Authorities' Request
Officials said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The LASD Homicide Bureau is asking anyone with information about the incident to call (323) 890-5500. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on Sept. 6.
Note: This report summarizes information released by the LASD, LAFD and local media outlets including ABC7, CBS News and KTLA. The investigation is active and details may change as authorities release more information.
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