Deputies kill San Diego County man suspected of shooting 2 neighbors on Easter

Deputies shoot suspect in California killing of 2

POWAY, Calif. — A man who had been feuding with two neighbors opened fire on their home and killed them during an Easter dinner before he was slain by San Diego County sheriff’s deputies, authorities said Monday.

The couple’s son, daughter-in-law and 8-year-old granddaughter were not hurt, sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Brugos said.

Two deputies who answered a report of a shooting on Sunday shot an unidentified man who pointed a shotgun at them as they approached and refused commands to drop it, Brugos said.

The gunman, who was in his 50s, died at the scene.

The bodies of a man and woman in their 50s were removed from their home Monday, Brugos said. The victims were not immediately identified.

“My understanding is that there’s kind of been an ongoing feud with these folks,” Brugos said. “The shooter didn’t get along well with other neighbors as well. He didn’t want people parking in front of his house.”

The man, armed with the shotgun and a revolver, walked to his neighbors’ house as they were finishing Easter dinner and their son was on the lawn preparing to leave, Brugos said.

The son saw the gunman and went inside to warn the family. His father got a gun but did not have a chance to use it before the gunman opened fire, walking around the outside of the house as he pumped bullets, Brugos said.

The son escaped through a window. His wife and daughter were inside but unhurt, Brugos said.

The motive for the attack was under investigation. Brugos said he couldn’t confirm neighbor reports the gunman and the couple had a dispute over a dog.

The gunman was arrested about 1½ years ago for some kind of dispute, Brugos said. He did not have details.