A California house fire that left four people – including two children – dead on Wednesday is now being investigated as a murder-suicide.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said they believe 48-year-old Eric Gonzalez shot his wife Karina Gonzalez, 35, and their daughters, eight-year-old Priscilla and six-year-old Beatrice, before setting their Bloomington house on fire and turning the gun on himself.
Detectives recovered handguns inside the residence and arson investigators believe the fire was intentionally set.
A California house fire that left four people – including two children – dead on Wednesday is now being investigated as a murder-suicide. Eric Gonzalez, 48 (left), is accused of killing his two young daughters and his wife, Karina, 35 (right), before setting fire to the house and turning the gun on himself
Detectives recovered handguns inside the residence and arson investigators believe the fire was intentionally set (Pictured, Priscilla Gonzalez, eight)
The bodies of the children and the suspect, Eric Gonzalez, were found in two bedrooms as firefighters extinguished the blaze (Pictured, Beatrice Gonzalez, left, six, and Karina)
Deputies and firefighters responded just after 7.30am to a report of a fire at a single-story home in the 17900 block of Santa Ana Drive on Wednesday.
Witness and friend Jessica Contreras told KABC she was coming to pick up Karina Gonzalez for work when she saw smoke coming from the house.
She and other witnesses called 911.
The bodies of the children and the suspect, Eric Gonzalez, were found in two bedrooms as firefighters extinguished the blaze, according to a news release.
Karina was found unresponsive in front of the home and emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her on the front lawn. She died shortly after being rushed to a hospital.
It took firefighters 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Most of the damage was confined to a front bedroom.
The family had lived in the home for about 15 years, according to neighbors and relatives. The woman’s brother, Manuel Salinas, told KTLA that his sister was a hard-working mother.
Karina (right, with Eric) was found unresponsive in front of the home and emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her on the front lawn. She died shortly after being rushed to a hospital
It took firefighters 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Most of the damage was confined to a front bedroom (Pictured, family home)
‘She was a nice person, she was motivated,’ Salinas said of Karina Gonzalez. ‘She had her two kids, she used to work a lot.’
Several dozen people attended a vigil for the family Wednesday night, lighting candles and leaving flowers in front of their home.
‘It was small but it was very respectful and a way to remember them,’ said local pastor, Patsy Lara, told the San Bernadino Sun.