Mayor Daniel Crespo of Bell Gardens, California was shot dead on Tuesday, a representative for the city has confirmed to NBC. A day after the shooting, no charges have been filed, Reuters reports.
Crespo, 45, was shot three times in his home and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Detectives say that on Tuesday afternoon the mayor’s 19-year-old son, Daniel Crespo Jr., attempted to break up a heated argument between his father and mother, Levette Crespo, 43. Their altercation became physical, the Lieutenant Sheriff’s Department told NBC. Crespo’s wife then produced a handgun and shot her husband multiple times in the upper torso. Crespo was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police have not said who owned the gun.
Crespo’s wife was detained by the LA County Sheriff’s Department, but was released early on Wednesday. The mayor’s son gave himself up voluntarily to authorities.
Bell Gardens is located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide detectives are currently assisting Bell Gardens authorities in the ongoing investigation, and will determine whether charges should be filed against Levette Crespo. According to the city’s website, Crespo relocated from New York City to Bell Gardens in 1987, a year after the couple married, and was elected to the city council in 2001. The couple also had one additional child, a daughter, born in 1987. This is a developing story.
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