Man Facing Eviction Identified As Marin Gunman; Landlord's Daughter Killed
MILL VALLEY (CBS SF) -- A tenant-landlord dispute and pending eviction appears to have sparked a fatal shooting that left two people dead -- including the gunman -- and a third person wounded, the Marin County Sheriff's Department said Friday.
Deputies identified the woman killed in the shooting as 30-year-old Sabrina Elizabeth Lew, daughter of 84-year-old landlord Leonard Lew, who was being treated in a local hospital intensive care unit.
The dead gunman was identified as 71-year-old Victor Aurelino Lugo, the tenant who was about to be evicted.
According to sheriff's investigators, Leonard Lew and his daughter went to the complex to talk with Lugo about his pending eviction. At around 3:44 p.m., dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a resident at 939 E. Blithedale reporting that two people had been shot.
A deputy arrived within two minutes and found the Lews suffering from gunshot wounds.
"I heard a lot of commotion outside, ran out to see what it was and saw a man lying on the ground with blood on him, then saw some police officers running with a woman just draped over them," said witness Megan Merill. "She seemed pretty lifeless."
Sabrina Elizabeth Lew did not survive and died at the hospital while Leonard Lew spent the night in ICU and was expected to survive.
As he was being treated for his wounds, Leonard Lew was able to provide detectives with the name of the suspect.
The apartment complex was surrounded by SWAT officers, residents were hastily evacuated and parents rushed to a nearby day care center to pick up their children.
Deputies finally entered the apartment about two hours after the shooting and found the gunman dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, Marin County sheriff's Sgt. Brenton Schneider said.
A revolver was found lying at Lugo's feet.
Investigators said they not yet had a chance to interview Leonard Lew in the hospital. The investigation into the shooting was still ongoing.
"It's shocking. I don't know them super well, but they are really nice neighbors, and i just can't imagine that Lenny and his wife lost their daughter," said a shaken neighbor Robin Kaukonen through tears. "Even though I don't know them that well. I wish them the best and Lenny a speedy recovery."
