Day after San Fernando Valley murder spree, family and friends remember the victims
Day after San Fernando Valley murder spree, family and friends remember the victims
by Alma Fausto, Josh Cain, Ariella Plachta
A day after police say a 26-year-old man killed four people and wounded two in a shooting rampage across the San Fernando Valley, family members and friends remembered the victims.
Gerry Dean Zaragoza of Canoga Park is accused of shooting to death his father and brother in an apartment, a woman acquaintance outside a gas station, and another man at random on a bus. His mom and a man at the gas station were injured with gunfire.
Michael Ramia, who owns American Carpet Cleaning in Northridge and employed the suspect’s father for the last 12 years, remembered the elder Zaragoza, who was age 50, as a cheerful and dedicated worker. So did others.
“He had a positive attitude every morning he came in, and wasn’t afraid to take more jobs even after he was done with his route,” said office manager Lisa Medina. “He rarely took days off.”
Ramia, who put on display a collage of photos in his office of the elder Zaragoza, said he knew there was turbulence with the man’s son.
“I think Carlos was scared of his son,” he said. “I knew there was an issue. His son was staying home not doing anything, not having any ambition, didn’t have any desire.”
Near the Zaragozas’ Canoga Park apartment building, mourners left a small memorial of flowers and candles outside the family’s unit, Room 24.
Neighbors said the suspect’s mother, who they identified as Blanca Zaragoza, was the building’s manager. They said she could often be seen tidying up the small green space just in front of the apartment complex some mornings.
Yvette Hernandez, who lives just down the street, had just seen and greeted Carlos and Blanca Zaragoza at the grocery store on Tuesday.
“The sons went to the same elementary school as mine,” said Hernandez, a longtime Canoga Park resident, as she fought back tears.
“I have two grandchildren,” she said, “and I’m afraid of them growing up in this society.”
Blanca Zaragoza was injured in the shootings, but police said she was in stable condition. LAPD has not said whether she has been released from the hospital yet.
“I can’t believe this happened here,” said Kimberly Torres, who lives at the Roscoe Boulevard apartments with her young daughter.
Torres said the family was friendly. The couple’s other son – also named Carlos Zaragoza – was particularly outgoing. She said he once helped her jump-start her car.
At the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles, the suspect was being held without bail.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
All credit goes to Alma Fausto, Josh Cain, Ariella Plachta
Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com
