A Christmas Eve gathering in a quiet Los Angeles County cul-de-sac ended in tragedy when a man dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a family party, leaving nine people dead before later taking his own life, authorities said.
Police identified the suspect as 45-year-old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, an aerospace industry employee described as a practising Roman Catholic. He reportedly arrived at the Covina-area home carrying a large gift box, then shot an eight-year-old girl who answered the door before firing repeatedly inside the house, where about 25 people — including several children — were celebrating.
Investigators say Pardo had recently finalised a contentious divorce from his ex-wife, Sylvia, on December 18, and believe she was the target of the attack.
The house was later engulfed in flames, and officers recovered nine badly burned bodies from the scene. Positive identification was only possible through dental records, police said. A neighbour, Jan Gregory, recalled seeing a teenage boy fleeing the property shouting that his family had been shot.
Pardo was found dead hours later at his brother’s home. Five firearms were recovered near his body. Detectives said he had no prior criminal history and is believed to have died by suicide after sustaining burns during the incident.
Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the attack.
