4 Dead, Son Arrested In Connection With Bizarre New Year's Eve Shooting In Rowland Heights
ROWLAND HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — Detectives Friday investigated the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of four adults in Rowland Heights.
Just after 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, deputies responded to a home located in the 2200 block of Batson Avenue for report of a gunshot victim call, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Upon their arrival, detectives located 27-year-old Earnie Calzadilla, a 48-year-old Caucasian woman, a 54-year-old Caucasian man and a 54-year-old Caucasian woman. All of the victims were suffering from gunshot wounds.
Paramedics pronounced the victims dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld pending family notification.
According to a neighbor, the homeowner shot and killed his bed-ridden wife, his son's girlfriend and Earnie, who was his son's friend.
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Witnesses said all but one of the victims was staying at the residence. At one point during the evening, the 54-year-old man took a handgun and shot the other victims. His 33-year-old son was able to wrestle the gun away from him and shot him once, which subsequently killed him.
According to deputies, the 33-year-old man -- now identified as Christopher Morey -- has been arrested for the murder of his father because once he took the gun away, the threat of danger was eliminated. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Walnut Station.
Police later said the homeowner had "hundreds" of guns.
A preliminary investigation revealed the family had been drinking prior to the shootings. Neighbors reported beer bottles were seen on the front porch and lawn.
Sheriff's officials say the incident may have been sparked by an argument over a washing machine, according to KNX 1070's Jon Baird.
Authorities responded to 25 calls at the home.
At this time, it remains unclear why the father opened fire on the victims.
Detectives recovered the murder weapon, a semi-automatic handgun, at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident has been urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
[Editor's Note: Earnie Calzadilla's family has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for his funeral expenses. Click here for more information.]