UPDATE: Suspect, victims of apparent El Monte double-murder-suicide named

EL MONTE — Detectives and neighbors continued trying to make sense Wednesday of the fatal shooting of two women and a man in an apparent double-murder-suicide in an El Monte garage at an El Monte home.
Harry Maldonado, 65, of El Monte, Evie Maldonado, 32, of El Monte and Diana Amaya, 38, whose city of residence was unclear, were found dead inside the garage of home in the 9900 block of Marshall Street after police responded to a report of a shooting about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Investigators described the alleged shooter, Harry Maldonado, as Evie Maldonado’s father. The relationship between Amaya and the other two victims was unclear, though the Facebook pages of both Evie Maldonado and Amaya described each other as “partner.”
Neighbor Alfredo Borromeo said he had known Harry Maldonado for more than 15 years and was shocked to learn of the shooting.
“He seemed like a very nice man. I don’t know what happened,” Borromeo said.
He described Harry Maldonado as “very relaxed,” adding that he did not drink or use drugs.
Harry Madonado, a veteran of the U.S. Marines, appeared to have a good relationship with his daughter, Borromeo said. He said he did not know Amaya.
Amaya’s Facebook page lists four children and a son-in-law.
Hernandez said a daughter of one of the women may have witnessed the shooting, however further details were not available.
A memorial of candles and flowers marked the shooting scene Wednesday afternoon. The windows of the home were adorned with “Winnie the Pooh”-theme Halloween decorations that appeared to have been colored by children.
A woman who answered the door at the family home said the family was not ready to comment.
The shooting stemmed from an argument, however the nature of the dispute was not known, Lt. Eddie Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said. Sheriff’s homicide detectives are assisting El Monte police in the investigation.
A handgun was recovered from the scene, officials added.
Sheriff’s investigators released no further details Wednesday, and handling detectives could not be reached for comment.

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