Bruce Jeffrey Pardo was a man suspected of shooting several people at a Christmas party in Los Angeles on December 24, 2008, after entering the party dressed as Santa Claus. Pardo's ex-wife and her parents are believed to be victims in the attack that left nine dead. The home belonged to Pardo's ex-in-laws.CNN: Bomb explodes in car used by suspected 'Santa' shooter (December 26, 2008) Fox News: Ninth Body Found in Los Angeles 'Santa' Massacre (December 26, 2008)
Pardo was found dead the following day at the home of his brother. On the afternoon of December 25, 2008, a pipe bomb exploded in the rental car Pardo used on the day of the attacks. It is believed that the Christmas Eve attack was an act of revenge because he was angry over a recent divorce settlement.FOXNews.com: Gunman Kills 8, Self in Los Angeles 'Santa' Massacre (December 26, 2008) CNN: Bomb explodes in car used by suspected 'Santa' shooter (December 26, 2008)
Victims of the Attack
There were 25 people at the Christmas party. Police listed those believed dead in the attack as Pardo's wife Sylvia (43); her elderly parents Joseph Ortega (80) and Alicia Ortega (70); her brothers Charles Ortega (50) and James Ortega (52); their wives Cheri Ortega (45) and Teresa Ortega (51); Sylvia's sister Alicia Ortiz (46) and Alicia Ortiz's son Michael Ortiz (17). Positive identification will not be completed for several days.Mercury News: Police ID 9 from Santa shooting rampage (December 27, 2008)
Two children, ages 8 and 16, remained in critical condition. Also injured was a 20-year-old woman who broke her ankle jumping from a window.New York Times: Attacker at Party Had Escape Plan, Police Say (December 27, 2008)
Pipe Bomb Explosion
On the afternoon of December 25, 2008, a rental car police say Pardo used on the day of the attacks exploded outside the home in Sylmar, California. At the time of the blast, a bomb squad was working to defuse a pipe bomb found inside the car by detectives during their investigation. The bomb detonated; no injuries were reported.CNN: Bomb explodes in car used by suspected 'Santa' shooter (December 26, 2008)
References
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Ex-husband of Sylvia Pardo
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45 years old at the time of the shooting in Covina, California, near Los Angeles
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Sylvia Pardo and her parents are believed to be among the victims
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Several of the bodies were burned; police have not determined if they died by the shooting or the fireLos Angeles Times: Several more bodies found...
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Police received several 911 calls around 11
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Planned to flee to Canada, but was severely burned by the fire he caused at the houseThe Jackson Sun: Police: Santa gunman planned to flee to Canada (December 26, 2008)
