Man in Santa Costume Massacres Ex-In-Laws’ Christmas Party

By Sarah Harper

Published on December 29, 2008

Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, 45, approached his ex-in-laws' residence in Covina, California on Christmas Eve, during their annual Christmas party. Pardo knocked on the door and began shooting indiscriminately when he gained entry into the residence. He then continued firing randomly before setting the house on fire. He then changed into his regular clothing and went to his brother's residence in nearby Sylmar, where he committed suicide.

The first victim was an eight-year-old girl, whom Pardo shot in the face when she opened the door to let him in. Of the approximately 25 guests at the party, nine were killed in the attack, while others, including the girl, sustained minor to severe injuries. Pardo's former mother- and father-in-law and his ex-wife (whom he had recently divorced), all of whom were at the party, are unaccounted for.

According to CNN news reports, the Christmas party was an annual event to which a certain neighbor always arrived dressed as Santa. This year, this neighbor was away. Although police are unsure of whether Pardo was aware of the neighbor's Santa tradition, authorities speculate that Pardo may have been motivated by marital problems with his ex-wife as well as the contentious divorce settlement she and he had reached the week before the attack.

Comment on this article →