Joseph 'Papa Joe' Ortega had been playing a late-night game of Texas Hold 'Em with his wife of 53 years and children at their home after a Christmas Eve dinner.
Their grandchildren had been playing video games and hanging out near the pool in the back garden of the home in Covina, California, on Christmas Eve 2008 - the night of the brutal killings.
But it proved to be a futile attempt to escape the gunman. The Ortegas, four of their children, two daughters-in-law and the teenager, Michael, who had been sitting at the computer all died at the hands of Bruce Jeffrey Pardo. Charles Ortega was shot after his brother James. First cousin Irmia Chapa Ortega, who lives in Torreon, Mexico, said the brother struggled to get up even after being wounded. She said: "Even bloodied, they got up, they stood up. They tried to grab him, to stop him. But they couldn't."
Little Katrina was shot in the face and left with severe but non-life-threatening injuries, a 16-year-old girl was shot and wounded in the back and a 20-year-old woman suffered a broken ankle after jumping out the second-floor window. One survivor escaped and ran to a neighbour's house where they called the police.
It was initially believed Pardo had planned to flee to Canada on a flight as he had bought a ticket on Air Canada, though it was later discovered the flight was from Los Angeles to Moline, Illinois, with a layover in Minnesota. Investigators were unsure if he had intended to go or if the flight was simply to fool investigators.
Pardo's murderous festive rampage was reportedly triggered by his divorce from Sylvia. One reason their marriage had reportedly fallen apart after Sylvia discovered her husband had a secret disabled child who he had cut all ties with. Another was that Pardo refused to open a joint bank account with Sylvia and expected his wife to use her own finances to take care of her own three children.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man Utd & Man City linked defender signs new long-term Everton contractHe's committed to the Toffees until 2027.
Read more »
Brentford can remind Man United that Ten Hag is the right man for the jobMan United were thumped 4-0 at Brentford last season but bounced back to beat Liverpool. With the Bees in town this weekend in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag will be seeking a response to early-seas
Read more »
Postecoglou ‘blown away’ by Tottenham man who’s now in line for major role upgradeTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has reportedly been 'blown away' by Bryan Gil of late, and the winger is now in line for an upgraded role in the Spurs side.
Read more »
Man who called cops 'hun c***s' has conviction appeal refused by courtitemprop=description content=A MAN who was charged with calling cops 'h*n c***s' has had an appeal against his conviction refused after he claimed the remark was…
Read more »