Saturday, October 15, 2011

SEAL BEACH, CA: SCOTT DEKRAAI SHOT 9 AT SALON, 8 DIE

Seal Beach shooting: Cache of weapons shows planning, police say

Los Angeles Times   /   October 15, 2011
Louis Sahagun and Nicole Santa Cruz

Police said the suspect the Seal Beach salon attack that killed eight people was well armed and appeared to be prepared for a shootout with police.

Acting Seal Beach Police Chief Tom Olson said Scott Dekraai was armed with handguns -- a 9-millimeter Springfield, a Heckler & Koch .45-caliber and a Smith & Wesson .44-caliber magnum -- "and wore body armor because he did not want to be shot by police."

Officials said Dekraai used at least two handguns in the attack and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Dekraai had a troubled background, according to relatives and court documents. A tugboat accident off El Segundo in 2007 left him facing multiple surgeries. Once trim and muscular, he became overweight. He was also paying $1,500 a month in child support.

Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty against Dekraai, who is charged with eight felony counts of special circumstance first-degree murder, and one felony count of attempted murder in connection with the worst mass killings in Orange County history.

RELATED:
Suspect suffered PTSD from boat injury

Victim predicted ex-husband would kill her

Full coverage: Deadly Seal Beach shooting

READ: DEKRAAI KILLS 8, WOUNDS 1, MAY GET DEATH PENALTY...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/10/seal-beach-shooting-cache-of-weapons-shows-planning-police-say.html