Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

'Santa' Shooter Had Bomb, Plane Ticket, Cash: Police

Death toll at 9 after another body is found in ashes of Calif. home

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2008 2:03 PM CST

(Newser) – The discovery of another body in the charred wreckage of a California home brings the death toll in the Christmas Eve shooting rampage to nine, ABC News reports. Police say Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, 45, suspected of shooting his former in-laws while disguised as Santa, had $10,000 in cash and a plane ticket out of the country on him when he committed suicide at his brother’s house yesterday.

Pardo had also rigged his rental car with booby traps, including a pipe bomb that had to be defused by the bomb squad. Though Pardo was reportedly having trouble coping after a bitter divorce from his ex-wife, a probable victim, he had no history of violence and was even scheduled to serve as an usher for midnight Christmas Mass at a local church.

Bruce Jeffrey Pardo is seen in an undated photo provided by the Covina (Calif.) Police Department.
Bruce Jeffrey Pardo is seen in an undated photo provided by the Covina (Calif.) Police Department.   (Covina Police Department)
A photo from today shows the remains of the home in Covina, Calif., that was set on fire during a Christmas Eve murder rampage.
A photo from today shows the remains of the home in Covina, Calif., that was set on fire during a Christmas Eve murder rampage.   (AP Photo)
Los Angeles County firefighters remove items from the burned home Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in Covina, Calif., that was set on fire during a Christmas Eve murder rampage. Bruce Pardo, dressed as Santa, shot indiscriminately at partygoers and destroyed his former in-laws' house with a homemade blowtorch, ultimately leaving nine...
Los Angeles County firefighters remove items from the burned home Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in Covina, Calif., that was set on fire during a Christmas Eve murder rampage. Bruce Pardo, dressed as Santa, shot...   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This is shocking. He was the nicest guy you could imagine. Always a pleasure to talk to, always a big smile.
- Jan Detanna, chief usher at Holy Redeemer Church, CA

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Dec 4, 2009 9:54 PM CST
Hi everybody!! Now i know i am not the only one with a problem like mine. I've never made any trips back to Africa since past 3 years i left my country.I have a valid A - DIRECT AIRSIDE TRANSIT VISA from United Kingdom to my country issued in New York but no money for plane ticket. I have a plan to go to my country to submit my old passport and get a new passport even to visit my Dad and my family members and come back. I pray to God that there is someone out there that will be able to help me, please contact me (prof4real2005 AT yahoo DOT com)to take my information that you can use to buy me a plane ticket. THANKS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS. prof4real2005@yahoo.com
Shannonals
Dec 27, 2008 2:41 AM CST
Ever notice how everyone who snaps and goes on a killer spree always has co-workers and others saying he/she is the nicest person they knew?

More Newser Stories

Man Torches Foreclosed Home, Shoots Himself, Wife

Dad in Custody Battle Kills 6

Disgraced EMT Was Killed in Fight With 4 Men

Infant Killed in LA Gang Shooting

Coach Shot Dead at Iowa School; Ex-Player Arrested


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne