Husband, Wife Dead, Neighbor In Critical Condition After Apparent Murder-Suicide
VALLEY VILLAGE (CBSLA.com) — A husband and wife were found dead Monday following an apparent murder-suicide in Valley Village.
The incident was reported around 10:30 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 12400 block of Weddington Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Roland Lelea, 70, reportedly attacked his wife, who was in her 40s, with an axe before fatally shooting her. He later turned the gun on himself, according to KCAL9's Greg Mills.
A neighbor was also shot in the mouth when she went to check on the apartment, following cries for help. She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
The neighbor's husband, Derrick Andrews, says that was scheduled for surgery at the hospital, where she remained in critical condition Monday night.
"By the time I was waking up, my wife was next door already," Andrews said. "Then five minutes later, we heard gunshots."
Two other neighbors had also checked in on the apartment when they reported that they had heard screaming.
Residents told Mills the couple, whose teen daughter was safe in school during the incident, fought frequently.
"They argued constantly, all the time," neighbor Robin Torell said. "They were fighting and bickering, back and forth."
An officer reportedly suffered a cut, but no other injuries were reported.
A SWAT team also responded to the scene.
