A 9-year-old boy killed in the mass shooting at an Orange business park Wednesday died in the arms of his wounded mother who was trying to save him, officials said Thursday.
The pair were identified as Matthew Farias and Blanca Tamayo by the daughter of Luis Tovar, who owned the business where the shooting took place and that Tamayo worked at. Tovar was also fatally shot, along with his daughter Genevieve Raygoza, and Leticia Solis.
Calling it a “horrific massacre,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said the little boy died as his mother held him in the courtyard.
Tamayo, who was also shot, was taken to a hospital where she remained in critical condition Thursday night.
The pair and three others were shot when a gunman opened fire at 202 W. Lincoln Ave. Wednesday afternoon. The victims were found in different locations throughout the business complex, according to police.
Officials had declined to name the victims earlier Thursday, saying they were working to notify their next of kin.
It was not a random attack, police said.
The shooter, identified as 44-year-old Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez of Fullerton, knew the victims “either by business or a personal relationship,” Lt. Jennifer Amat with the Orange Police Department said during a Thursday news conference.
Investigators also believe Gonzalez locked the gates of the business complex with bike cable locks ahead of the shooting, which delayed officers entry into the complex, Amat said.
From behind the gate, police fired at the gunman, who was later found wounded and taken to a hospital.
The child and woman were the first victims found in the courtyard when officers gained entry into the office complex after using bolt cutters, officials said.
The suites where other victims were found were identified as the Unified Homes, Tovar’s business that sells mobile homes.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help raise money for the victims’ families.
