Simi shooting, day 2
We didn't get a whole lot more from yesterday's post, but by the end of the day, at least all the people involved were ID'd. Here's the top of the story:
SIMI VALLEY - Was it just an argument that left two people dead and two wounded? Or did a senseless, random killing begin the bloodbath? Or was it all premeditated?
The Simi Valley Police Department investigated a quadruple shooting about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Tire Pros shop near East Los Angeles Avenue and Tapo Street.
Police identified one dead victim, customer Susan Sutcliffe, 53, of Simi Valley. They also identified two wounded bystanders, shop owner Henry John Heeber IV, 37, also of Simi Valley, and employee Albert Ramirez, 20, of Moorpark. They named the shooter as Robert Becerra, 29, another Simi Valley resident.
But they didn't say why he killed Sutcliffe with a shot to the face, then shot Ramirez in the belly and Heeber twice in the arms. Nor did they say why Becerra turned the gun on himself and ended his life with a shot to the head.
"Anytime something like this happens, it's very shocking," Lt. Roy Jones said. "Even to us."
I actually wasn't thrilled with the way our story came out, but it was the best we could do with the material we had. Jason did a great job gathering info, but I didn't feel like I held up my end of the bargain. My apologies-- and even more importantly, my condolences to the Sutcliffe, Ramirez, Heeber and Becerra families. It sounds like a horrendous day for everyone.
Here's the video Ms. Burch shot
Elsewhere, here's the Ventura County Star's news story and a very touching remembrance of Susan Sutcliffe. While I hate to give credit to the competition, they beat us. The Times piece was pretty well done, as well.
But newspapers' competition with each other doesn't matter. Two kids lost their mom yesterday. A troubled guy killed himself. Two guys' lives will be forever changed, just because they showed up for work. It's a damn shame all around.
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