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Young Mom, Infant Son Killed While Fleeing Potentially Gang-Related ‘Massacre’ In California
Investigators stated they suspect a cartel or gang is behind the mass shooting that claimed the lives of six people in Central California this week.
A 16-year-old California mother and her 10-month-old son were among six people killed in what appeared to be a chain of execution-style murders that claimed the lives of six people this week.
Alissa Parraz and her 10-month old son Nycholas Parraz were fatally shot in the head in the rural farming community of Goshen early Monday morning in what county authorities are describing as a cartel or gang-related shooting. The mother and son appeared to be fleeing a residence in the 6800 block of Harvest Road when they were fatally shot, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said in a press conference on Tuesday.
"I know for a fact that this young lady was running for her life, and I know for a fact that there was no reason to kill her, but they did," Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said, Los Angeles television station KTTV reported. "I know for a fact that this 10-month-old baby was riding on the comfort of his mother. There was no reason to shoot that baby. And they did it."
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Alissa Parraz and Nycholas Parraz’s bodies were discovered outside the home on the street. Forensic analysis revealed that one or more individuals stood over them when they opened fire, NBC News reported.
"What we have since learned through forensics [is] that it was clear that the shooters stood over the top of the 16-year-old mother and fired rounds into her head,” Boudreaux said.
The 10-month-old infant also suffered from the same attack.
According to investigators, witnesses mistakenly reported an active shooter to 911 due the high volume of gunshots, Valley Public Radio reported. The shooters had fled the scene by the time law enforcement arrived, officials said.
Rosa Parraz, 72; Marcos Parraz; 19, Eladio Parraz Jr., 52; and Jennifer Analla, 49, were also killed in the gruesome incident, according to The Los Angeles Times. Eladio Parraz Jr. was the teens’ uncle and Rosa Parraz — who was shot in her bed — was their grandmother, per NBC News.
According to the outlet, Analla was dating a different family member who survived the attack, authorities said.
Officials have characterized the series of killings as a “horrific massacre.” All of the victims were shot in the head and “in places a shooter would know” would cause a “quick death,” Boudreaux said.
“None of this was by accident. It was deliberate, intentional and horrific,” Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux stated at the press conference.
“Going in and massacring an entire family goes above and beyond,” he added. “Which is why I continue to focus back on high-level gang-style execution or cartel-style execution, because this is not normal.”
Authorities initially suspected the killings are tied to the Mexican drug trade and hinted a cartel was likely responsible for the mass murders, however, they haven’t named a particular faction.
“The drug cartel," Bordeaux said hours after the violent murders. “What else could explain the depravity of executing a baby?”
As the investigation proceeded this week, authorities still hadn’t ruled out the likelihood that a cartel was behind the heinous killings.
“I’m not saying this is a cartel,” Bordeaux said again on Tuesday, per The Los Angeles Times. “But I am not eliminating that possibility.”
The sheriff added that there were likely two shooters, and potentially a third person who acted as a getaway driver.
At least three people survived the shooting by hiding, per KTTV. Two of the victims stayed alive by hiding in a nearby trailer.
"Fortunately, the two suspects in this case never entered that trailer, and they remain(ed) hidden inside the trailer," Bordeaux also said, adding a third unnamed survivor called 911 from inside the home around 3 a.m. to report the attack.
"He could hear shots fired up and down the hallway," Boudreaux said. "He put his feet against the door to keep them from opening it."
Boudreaux stated that the home had previously been visited by authorities and its known for "routine" gang activity.
The home was recently visited by authorities conducting a parole compliance check on Jan. 3, which resulted in the arrest of Eladio Parraz Jr., who has a past criminal record. After obtaining an arrest warrant, Eladio Parraz Jr. was arrested and charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a short-barreled rifle, felon in possession of an assault weapon, a loaded weapon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance, authorities said. He posted bail four days after his arrest. It’s unclear if the incident is tied to the mass killing.
Boudreaux noted that not all the victims had criminal backgrounds.
A $10,000 reward has been issued by authorities for any information that garners an arrest and conviction related to the mass killing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-782-9650.
