On Christmas Eve, the Ortega family's celebration was abruptly shattered when a man dressed as Santa Claus knocked on their door.
The festive scene turned into a nightmare as the man, later identified as Bruce Pardo, opened fire, shooting eight-year-old Katrina in the face as she excitedly greeted him. Pardo, a disgruntled ex-husband of Sylvia Ortega, then proceeded to massacre eight more family members and set the house ablaze.
A Calculated Massacre
The 2008 Christmas massacre in Covina, Los Angeles, sent shockwaves across the nation. Pardo, enraged over his divorce from Sylvia, which included disputes over a dog and a wedding ring, meticulously planned and executed the attack.
He targeted his ex-wife's family during their Christmas Eve gathering, killing Sylvia, her parents Alicia and Joseph Ortega, and several other family members.
Photo: Mug Shot Bruce Pardo
A Tragic End and Lasting Pain
After the massacre, Pardo, who had suffered severe burns, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his brother's house, with $17,000 taped to his leg, indicating his escape plan.
Now, fifteen years later, the Ortega family still vividly remembers that fateful Christmas. They continue to celebrate the holiday together but have replaced their church visits with trips to the cemetery to honor their lost loved ones.
This harrowing tale of a Christmas Eve turned tragic serves as a stark reminder of the depths of human despair and the lasting impact of such a heinous act on a family and community.
Christmas will always be here, and we must celebrate it," says Leticia Ortega
