: Santa Clara police released new details in the fatal Enright Avenue shooting and fire, saying the case was a targeted homicide-suicide involving estranged brothers. Investigators said Matthew Heflin traveled from Indiana and secretly stayed next door before killing Mark Heflin.
Santa Clara Fire Department
A man who traveled from Indiana to Santa Clara secretly rented the home next door to his estranged brother, then fatally shot him outside his residence before setting the rental home on fire and dying by suicide, police said Thursday.
Santa Clara Police Chief Cory Morgan said the May 8 shooting and fire on the 600 block of Enright Avenue was a “targeted homicide, followed by suicide,” involving two adult brothers: Matthew Heflin, 49, of Bloomington, Ind., and Mark Heflin, 52, of Santa Clara.
The brothers had been estranged for about three years, Morgan said at a news conference. Investigators have not determined a motive.
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Police said Matthew Heflin traveled more than 2,000 miles to the Bay Area in a rental vehicle, carrying firearms and ammunition. He arrived in the San Jose area around April 14 and did not tell relatives where he was, Morgan said.
About three days before the shooting, police said, Matthew Heflin began staying in a short-term rental directly next to Mark Heflin’s home. Family members did not know he was there, Morgan said.
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The shooting was reported at 12:24 p.m. May 8, after callers reported numerous gunshots and an armed man near homes on Enright Avenue. Officers arrived about three minutes later and found Mark Heflin outside his home with multiple gunshot wounds, police said.
Officers tried to save him as gunfire continued nearby, Morgan said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Investigators believe Mark Heflin was taking items from his car when Matthew Heflin approached him while concealing a gun in a paper bag, police said. After a brief exchange, Matthew Heflin opened fire, according to police.
Investigators recovered 12 spent casings at the scene.
Matthew Heflin then retreated into the rental home, fired more shots and set a fire in the rear of the house, police said.
As smoke and flames spread, officers evacuated nearby homes while firefighters worked in dangerous conditions, Morgan said. Police used drones, armored rescue vehicles, tactical officers and mutual aid personnel to help evacuate homes and protect firefighters.
That evening, Santa Clara police located a body inside the burned home. Investigators recovered the body after the building was deemed safe the next day.
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Authorities confirmed through dental records that it was Matthew Heflin, police said.
Investigators found Matthew Heflin’s passport, four pistols, ammunition, manufactured fire logs and $95,000 in cash, Morgan said. Police have not determined whether the money was connected to the shooting or a possible motive.
Police in Indiana searched Matthew Heflin’s home but found no note or manifesto explaining the attack, Morgan said.
The case remains under investigation.
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