Northern California home shooting that left 4 dead ruled murder-suicide

Authorities have determined that the fatal shooting of four people inside a Northern California home, was a murder-suicide carried out by the male resident, according to officials. Two children are among the victims.

The determination was announced Wednesday after investigators reviewed evidence from the scene at a home on the 5400 block of Mill Water Circle in Rancho Cordova, where deputies responded just after 8:30 a.m. following reports of possible gunshots and screaming, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials said a neighbor first called 911, reporting what sounded like gunfire. Less than five minutes later, a man later identified as 58-year-old David Vallerga contacted the 911 Communications Center, provided his address, and stated that he was “the shooter” and had installed “booby traps” inside the residence.

Authorities said they confirmed Vallerga had prior military experience and possessed numerous firearms.

Deputies established a perimeter and began evacuating nearby residents after hearing what they believed to be a single gunshot from inside the home.

The Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail, also known as SWAT, deployed two armored BearCat vehicles and attempted to call out any occupants. A search warrant was approved after no response was received.

Deputies later deployed a smaller armored vehicle, breached a side fence, and entered the home through a sliding glass door. A sheriff’s drone was flown inside and located Vallerga unresponsive, holding a pistol in his right hand, the department said.

Deputies entered the residence and found four people dead from apparent gunshot wounds: Vallerga, a 49-year-old woman, a 13-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl.

Because of the reported threat of booby traps, the sheriff’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team cleared the home. No explosive devices were found.

Investigators recovered multiple shell casings from two different calibers, which were matched to firearms found at the scene. A second pistol was located beneath Vallerga’s body, and approximately 14 additional firearms were seized, according to the sheriff’s department.

Based on the evidence, detectives concluded the case was a murder-suicide committed by Vallerga. A motive has not been determined, and the identities of the victims have not been released, though neighbors told local media that a family of four lived at the home.