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

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.

Seal Beach salon shooting: The victims

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.

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-- Louis Sahagun and Nicole Santa Cruz

Photo: Shooting suspect Scott Dekraai looks at his attorney Robert Curtis during a hearing Friday. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times