2009-11-29

Father chased down wife and two young sons, firing multiple shots at them, killing one boy and critically wounding the other and his mother

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] Whos Killing Families?.

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November 29, 2009

Paterson, New Jersey -- Father chased down wife and two young sons, firing multiple shots at them, killing one boy and critically wounding the other and his mother

The father, Edelmiro Gonzales, in turn was shot and killed by a police officer. "Seven-year-old Adrian Gonzales was pronounced dead at the scene, while his 11-year-old brother, Edryn Gonzales, and their mother, Johanna, were both hospitalized in critical condition."http://wcbstv.com/local/paterson.fatal.shootings.2.1338507.html

 

2 Dead, 2 Wounded When NJ Dad Shoots His Family

Edelmiro Gonzalez, 54, Fatally Shot By Off-Duty Cop After Shooting Wife, Kids; One Son Dead, Wife And Other Son Injured

Reporting
Hazel Sanchez

PATERSON, N.J. (CBS) ―

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Police are still trying to figure out what triggered Edelmiro Gonzalez to go on a shooting spree, killing his seven-year-old son, and injuring his wife and other son. They are recovering at St. Joseph's hospital.

Police are still trying to figure out what triggered Edelmiro Gonzalez to go on a shooting spree, killing his seven-year-old son, and injuring his wife and other son. They are recovering at St. Joseph's hospital.

Gonzalez is dead, and those who know his family are in shock.

The Colpas and Delgado families were stunned to find out their neighbors, Johanna Gonzalez and her two sons, were victims of a fatal domestic dispute, and that the gunman was Gonzalez's estranged husband, 54-year-old Edelmiro Gonzalez.

"Something hard had to happen, because he loves his kids – he'd come and pick them up, drop them off, it was no problem," neighbor Alexis Delgado said. "I can't believe it. I'm shocked."

"They were like a happy family," neighbor Tammy Colpas said. "It's so unbelievable. I can't believe this."

Police say just before 9 a.m. Sunday, Johanna Gonzalez was dropping off her two sons at her mother's home at 460 Broadway when Edelmiro Gonzalez appeared, armed with two handguns.

"Her estranged husband came up to the vehicle, shot several times into the vehicle, at which time her two sons, Adrian and Eldryn exited the vehicle," Detective Lieutenant Ron Humphrey, of the Paterson Police Department, said. "Adrian was immediately shot as he ran to the driveway."

Seven-year-old Adrian Gonzalez died at the scene.

Police say the enraged husband shot his 11-year-old son, Elryn Gonzalez, in the neck, then shot his 31-year-old wife in the shoulder before trying to run away past a nearby McDonalds.

Off-duty Paterson Police Det. Lt. Washington Griffen was with his young son sitting in the drive-thru lane.

"He exited the vehicle, leaving his son in the car, he hollered out to the suspect, advised him he was a police officer and to drop the weapon," Det. Lt. Humphrey said. "There was an exchange of gunfire, and the suspect was shot twice."

Gonzalez was shot in the head and femur and died at the hospital.

Det. Lt. Griffen, a 19-year veteran of the force, has been placed on administrative leave while Paterson police and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office conducts an investigation.

Edelmiro and Johanna had been separated for three years. Although Edelmiro had visitation rights with his sons, Johanna had a restraining order on him since September.

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] Whos Killing Families?.

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