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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Killer 'Santa' Was Out to Get His Mom

13 kids were orphaned by Pardo's rampage on Christmas Eve

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(Newser) – The man who carried out a Christmas Eve killing spree dressed as Santa Claus had planned to kill his own mother, the Los Angeles Times reports. Bruce Jeffrey Pardo was furious with his mom for siding with his ex-wife in their bitter marital dispute and knew she was invited to the California holiday party he peppered with bullets. She didn't attend because she had the flu.

Detectives believe Pardo also planned to kill his ex-wife's divorce attorney. A car belonging to Pardo containing camping supplies and a map of Mexico was found outside the lawyer's home. Relatives of the nine people killed by Pardo are now dealing with the problem of how to care for the 13 children orphaned in the attack. Two other children lost one parent.

Maria Garcia pays her respects at a memorial set up near the ruins of the Ortega family home in Covina, Calif., yesterday.
Maria Garcia pays her respects at a memorial set up near the ruins of the Ortega family home in Covina, Calif., yesterday.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, the killer 'Santa,' who committed suicide after claiming the lives of 9 people in California.
Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, the killer 'Santa,' who committed suicide after claiming the lives of 9 people in California.   (AP Photo/Covina Police Department)
In this 2005 family photo Alicia Ortega, left, and her husband Joseph Ortega are seen during their 50th wedding anniversary The Ortegas were killed by Bruce Jeffrey Pardo Christmas Eve.
In this 2005 family photo Alicia Ortega, left, and her husband Joseph Ortega are seen during their 50th wedding anniversary The Ortegas were killed by Bruce Jeffrey Pardo Christmas Eve.   (AP Photo/El Siglo de Torreon)
This photograph provided by the Covina, Calif., Police Department shows a device that cops suspect Bruce Pardo brought with him to the house where he killed at least nine people.
This photograph provided by the Covina, Calif., Police Department shows a device that cops suspect Bruce Pardo brought with him to the house where he killed at least nine people.   (AP Photo/Covina Police Department)
This photograph provided by the Covina, Calif., Police Department shows Bruce Pardo's charred Santa suit inside a Dodge Caliber.
This photograph provided by the Covina, Calif., Police Department shows Bruce Pardo's charred Santa suit inside a Dodge Caliber.   (AP Photo/Covina Police Department)
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Lula
Dec 30, 08 11:45 AM CST
Such a sad case. Reply
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