Victim Of Bizarre Rowland Heights Slayings Remembered By Family, Friends
ROWLAND HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — Earnie Calzadilla was one of four people shot and killed New Years night at a home in Rowland Heights.
His brother, Wilfred, told KCAL9's Crystal Cruz that Earnie just became a new dad eight months ago.
"He was the type of guy that if you have $300 he was the type that would spend on his daughter he didn't care if he stayed broke," said Wilfred. "Even if he had nothing, he would spend it all on his daughter."
Neighbors of the homeowner where the violence took place -- the 2200 block of Batson Avenue, -- told Cruz there was always a lot of drinking in the home. They said beer bottles on the front porch and lawn were standard.
"Similar event has happened in the past but no one was injured, luckily, but there was shots fired," said neighbor Sean Tubbs.
Darlene Tubbs lives close by and says the 54-year-old homeowner, described as a heavy drinker, shot and killed his bed-ridden wife, his son's girlfriend and his son's friend, Earnie.
"I guess the dad just snapped," said Darlene.
Deputies said the shooter's 33-year-old son wrestled the gun away from his dad and then killed him.
RELATED LINK: 4 Dead, Son Arrested In Connection With Bizarre New Year's Eve Shooting In Rowland Heights
The Sheriff's Department says the son -- identified as Christopher Morey -- faces a murder charge because once he wrestled the gun away from his father, the threat was eliminated. (Officials later said the homeowner had hundreds of guns.)
Earnie's sister-in-law, Brenda Guiterrez,told Cruz she had been up all night crying.
"[Earnie] was always good to our kids and he was a really good dad and just sad that this had to happen," she said.
Earnie's sister left flowers on the porch, clearly troubled her family is starting the New Year off without a very much loved member of the clan.
[Editor's Note: The family set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for Calzadilla's funeral expenses. Click here for more information.]
