MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — A 51-year-old man is in custody after deputies say he shot and killed his estranged wife Sunday morning outside the Denny’s off Avenue 18 and a half and Golden State Boulevard.<\/p>\n
The victim’s family is identifying her by her maiden name, Brittney Harris. She was 38 years old and a mother of four.<\/p>\n
In photos sent to Action News, Brittney Harris posed with a bouquet of flowers after graduating from Merced College’s nurse assistant program.<\/p>\n
“Upon arrival, they did determine that this was a domestic violence-related situation in which the couple were eating in a local restaurant nearby here,” says Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue. “They exited the restaurant, and then the man shot the woman multiple times before he fled the area.”<\/p>\n
The sheriff confirmed 51-year-old David Moreno fled the scene in a white Toyota RAV4, captured in bystander video.<\/p>\n
“Our deputies arrived very quickly,” Pogue said. “They provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived. They were able to transport her to a local hospital, but unfortunately, she was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.”<\/p>\n
Within four hours, Madera County deputies, with help from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and air resources, located Moreno on Highway 41 in that same RAV4.<\/p>\n
Moreno was arrested at 3:45 pm Sunday near Highway 41 and Manning Avenue, 36 miles from the Denny’s.<\/p>\n
Brittney Harris’ children said their mom made sure everyone around her was okay, even when she wasn’t. They described her as a strong, independent woman who put others first.<\/p>\n