Neighbors mourn children killed in Rancho Cordova murder-suicide

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office investigators called the Tuesday shooting deaths of four people in Rancho Cordova a murder-suicide. The tragic event unfolded on Mill Water Circle near Copper Sunset Way in the Kavala Ranch community, south of Anatolia.The gunman was identified by the sheriff’s office as David Vallerga, 58. They said the victims are a 49-year-old woman, 13-year-0ld boy and an 11-year-old girl. All four died of gunshot wounds. A neighbor reported hearing gunshots ring out and a woman screaming and called 911, while another neighbor captured the sounds of the violence on their home security cameras. The sequence of gunfire began with one shot just after 8:30 a.m., followed by several more, and concluded with a final shot, marking the tragic event in the quiet suburban neighborhood.Investigators said Vallerga also called 911 five minutes after the first call and stated he was “the shooter” and had installed “booby traps” inside the residence. They said Vallerga had prior military experience and owned several firearms. They found a gun in his right hand and a second gun under his body. They also found another 14 firearms inside the home. Allisha Crockett, who lived across the street from the family for five years, placed flowers outside the home Wednesday. “Just to bring some flowers and offer some light and some love,” she said.Crockett fondly remembered watching the neighborhood children play together in the cul-de-sac.”They all played together, and that’s something that just shook and jarred my heart, the impact of the children that are still in this cul-de-sac,” Crockett said. “These are their friends. These are their people.” Crockett reflected on her interactions and observations of the gunman.”Just watching him maneuver and navigate himself around his home with his wife, with his children. He definitely was one of the first people that came to mind, and I don’t know if there’s any one thing that was like, ‘Oh, it was him.’ I think it was just his energy. He seemed tense quite a bit,” Crockett said. Neighbors described the children as happy, with the girl being creative and loving to draw chalk art, while the boy was interested in Pokémon. Neighbors also said the children were homeschooled, and the family owned a tutoring service that they attended.The community plans to hold a vigil for the family in the cul-de-sac on Sunday at 7 p.m., inviting anyone who wishes to attend.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. —

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office investigators called the Tuesday shooting deaths of four people in Rancho Cordova a murder-suicide. The tragic event unfolded on Mill Water Circle near Copper Sunset Way in the Kavala Ranch community, south of Anatolia.

The gunman was identified by the sheriff’s office as David Vallerga, 58. They said the victims are a 49-year-old woman, 13-year-0ld boy and an 11-year-old girl. All four died of gunshot wounds.

A neighbor reported hearing gunshots ring out and a woman screaming and called 911, while another neighbor captured the sounds of the violence on their home security cameras.

The sequence of gunfire began with one shot just after 8:30 a.m., followed by several more, and concluded with a final shot, marking the tragic event in the quiet suburban neighborhood.

Investigators said Vallerga also called 911 five minutes after the first call and stated he was “the shooter” and had installed “booby traps” inside the residence. They said Vallerga had prior military experience and owned several firearms. They found a gun in his right hand and a second gun under his body. They also found another 14 firearms inside the home.

Allisha Crockett, who lived across the street from the family for five years, placed flowers outside the home Wednesday.

“Just to bring some flowers and offer some light and some love,” she said.

Crockett fondly remembered watching the neighborhood children play together in the cul-de-sac.

“They all played together, and that’s something that just shook and jarred my heart, the impact of the children that are still in this cul-de-sac,” Crockett said. “These are their friends. These are their people.”

Crockett reflected on her interactions and observations of the gunman.

“Just watching him maneuver and navigate himself around his home with his wife, with his children. He definitely was one of the first people that came to mind, and I don’t know if there’s any one thing that was like, ‘Oh, it was him.’ I think it was just his energy. He seemed tense quite a bit,” Crockett said.

Neighbors described the children as happy, with the girl being creative and loving to draw chalk art, while the boy was interested in Pokémon. Neighbors also said the children were homeschooled, and the family owned a tutoring service that they attended.

The community plans to hold a vigil for the family in the cul-de-sac on Sunday at 7 p.m., inviting anyone who wishes to attend.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel