Nov 30, 2009 6:13 am US/Eastern
Police Search For Motive In Fatal N.J. Shooting
Paterson Father Allegedly Shot Estranged Wife, 2 Children
Reporting
Jay Dow
PATERSON, N.J. (CBS) ―
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Police are still trying to figure out what triggered Edelmiro Gonzalez to go on a shooting spree, killing his seven-year-old son, and injuring his wife and other son. They are recovering at St. Joseph's hospital.
CBS
Police were looking for a motive Sunday in a triple shooting that left one boy dead, and his mother and brother fighting for their lives.
Detectives in Paterson said Edelmiro Gonzalez opened fire Saturday morning on his estranged wife and two young children.
"I don't know how anybody could do something like that," said resident Angie Rolon.
Investigators said 31-year old Johanna Gonzalez, who had been separated from her husband since September and had a restraining order against him, was in the process of dropping off their two sons at her mother's apartment on Broadway. That's when the 54-year-old father allegedly walked up to their vehicle, armed with two handguns.
"Her estranged husband came up to the vehicle, shot several times into the vehicle, at which time her two sons, Adrian and Eldryn exited the vehicle," said Det Lt. Ray Humphrey.
Police said Gonzalez actually then chased down his 7-year old son and shot him in the neck near the rear of the apartment building.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
However, the ordeal didn't end there. Police said Gonzalez went back to the street and chased down his estranged wife. That's when off-duty Paterson Detective Lt. Washington Griffen, a 19-year veteran who was at a nearby McDonald's drive-through with his son saw what was happening and intervened.
"He hollered out to the suspect, advised him he was a police officer, and to drop the weapon. There was an exchange of gunfire, and the suspect was shot twice," Humphrey said.
Edelmiro Gonzalez died later at an area hospital. His elder son Edryn and the child's mother Johanna remained in critical condition.
"I just feel ashamed, bad for the kids. Little innocent kids like that. They have no control over what happens with their parent's lives. It's just a shame," said resident Robert Connell.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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