Homicide Report > Gerardo Rivera, 54
Gerardo Rivera, 54
Died Feb. 6, 2008 at 9:00 p.m.
Gerardo Rivera, a 54-year-old Latino man, was shot to death at his home in the 19828 Welby Way in Winnetka about 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6.
According to police, Rivera was shot in the bathroom by his son, Edwin Rivera, 20. He was declared dead at the scene and was one of two family members killed inside the house, police said.
His son Edwin, a 20-year old Latino, was shot and killed by a sniper in a police standoff at shortly after 5 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7. During the standoff, he had allegedly shot two veteran SWAT officers, killing Officer Randal Simmons, 51, and critically injuring Officer James Veenstra, 51, who is recovering from surgery at Northridge Medical Center.
According to relatives, Rivera and his wife had emigrated from El Salvador about 25 years ago. The couple had four children, all U.S. citizens.
After his wife's death eight years ago, Rivera began dating another woman. Relatives said it had caused some friction in the family and may have contributed to the shooting.
— Richard Winton and Joel Rubin
Photo: Rivera residence after police standoff. Credit: Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times
- Neighborhood: Winnetka
- Age: 54
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Wednesday
- Agency: LAPD Robbery Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino
- Circumstance: Domestic violence
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