The Downey Patriot

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Man fatally shoots ex-girlfriend and himself in Bellflower

BELLFLOWER — A man who was the object of a restraining order shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and wounded her adult son in their Bellflower apartment and then killed himself, authorities said Wednesday.

The shootings occurred at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 8500 block of Artesia Boulevard, where Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies responded regarding a shots fired call, according to the LASD.

"When deputies arrived, they contacted a 26-year-old male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the hip," the sheriff's department said in a statement.

"The male victim stated he was in his bedroom when the suspect forced entry into the apartment then entered his room and shot him," the statement said. "The suspect then turned towards the victim's mother's room. As the male victim was exiting the apartment, he heard his mother scream and a second gunshot."

While they were with the wounded man, the deputies "suddenly heard a single gunshot come from inside the apartment," the sheriff's statement said.

"The deputies made a tactical entry into the apartment and found a 54- year-old female suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and a 59-year- old male suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head."

Both the man and the woman died at the scene. Their names were not immediately available for release. The woman's son was taken to a hospital.

"The female victim and the suspect had a prior dating relationship," the sheriff's statement said. "Earlier in the day, the female victim filed a restraining order against the suspect at the Whittier courthouse, protecting her and her adult son."

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-TIPS, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.