8 dead after Santa shooting spree

At least eight people were killed and several others injured when a man dressed as Santa Claus opened fire at a Christmas Eve party in California. Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, 45, the only suspect in the shooting in Covina later committed suicide and his body was found at a relative's house in nearby Sylmar, police said. The suspect, who was carrying at least two handguns, began shooting as soon as he entered the house of his former in-laws, Lt. Pat Buchanan of the Covina Police Department said. The house, which was owned by the parents of Pardo's ex-wife - with whom he had recently settled a contentious divorce - caught fire during the shooting and was engulfed in flames when police arrived. "Six bodies have been confirmed at this point. They have not been identified yet. They are too badly burned and will have to be identified by dental records," Mr Buchanan said. Police said they do not know how many of the victims died of gunshot wounds or from the fire. "He died of self-inflicted wounds. We believe it was a marital dispute," Mr Buchanan said. Two people were wounded by gunfire - an eight-year-old girl who opened the door and was shot in the face and a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the back as guests fled the house. Some jumped from second-floor windows, police said. Both girls' injuries are not considered life-threatening. Witnesses among the 25 people attending the annual Christmas party told police that Pardo stripped off his Santa costume after the shooting and fled in street clothes.

» More on this story... «

ITN | December 26, 2008

Tags:. .covina. .sylmar. .eightyearold. .lifethreatening. .pardos