Suspect, victims in Simi Valley dental office shooting identified
A 30-year-old man distraught over a divorce was booked on suspicion of murder after he walked into a Simi Valley dental office and allegedly shot and killed his wife and wounded three others, authorities said Thursday.
Jaime Peredes of Simi Valley was booked shortly after surrendering to police Wednesday, said Sgt. Bill Lappin of the Simi Valley Police Department. The Ventura County medical examiner's office identified his wife as Mariela Peredes, 24, of Simi Valley.
Lappin said the pair had been separated for two months, but that his wife had recently asked for a divorce. “He wasn’t coping too well with that,” Lappin said.
Simi Valley police also identified the wounded victims as Christian Carpio, 18, Peredes' brother-in-law; Lydia Carranza, 41; and Gloria Castrellon, 38, all residents of Simi Valley. The status of their injuries was not known. Lappin said all three were dental employees and probably were standing near each other at the time of the attack.
The shooting occurred about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Family Dental Care at Los Angeles Avenue and Sinaloa Road. Peredes allegedly walked into the office and began firing an SKS semiautomatic assault rifle, Lappin said.
Several people who managed to escape fled to nearby businesses, police said. Peredes surrendered to police after an hour standoff.
—Ruben Vives
