Daniel Crespo, the mayor of Bell Gardens — a small suburb of Los Angeles — was shot and killed by his wife after he got into a physical tussle with their 19-year-old son, police said.
Levette Crespo has not been arrested or charged with any crime, The Associated Press reported. Mr. Crespo, 45, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The community, a well-maintained and normally quiet suburb dotted by town homes, has responded with grief — as well as shock, AP reported.
“He was such an awesome person,” said Florence Chavez, 63, of Mr. Crespo, AP reported. “He was forever walking around, talking with people, house to house.”
And another neighbor, Margarita Rios, said similarly.
“A very good person, very friendly,” she said, in the AP report.
The Crespos were reportedly childhood sweethearts who married in their teen years, in 1986. Sheriff’s Deputy Crystal Hernandez said police think the two were fighting when their son, attempted to break them apart but got into a fight with Mr. Crespo. Mrs. Crespo then got a gun and started shooting, Ms. Hernandez said, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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