'Deliberate, intentional and horrific': 6 family members shot to death in targeted killing

GOSHEN, Calif. (TND) — “None of this was by accident."

The sheriff of Tulare County in central California didn't mince words when he described how six members of a family were gunned down in their home, early Monday.

"It was deliberate, intentional, and horrific,”Mike Boudreaux said, describing scenes like a killerstanding over a 16-year-old mother clutching her 10-month-old baby, and shooting both to death.

That teenager was trying to escape the violence when at least one of the killers caught up to her outside the home.

The other four victims ranged from 19 to 72 years old. That includes a grandmother who was shot as she slept. There were three generations of victims.

The first call about multiple shots being fired came at 3:38 a.m. Monday. There were so many shots that it seemed like an active shooter situation.

It turned out, the call came from someone hiding at the property. Seven minutes later, deputies arrived and found two bodies outside on the street, and a third body at the doorstep.

Then, deputies found more victims inside, including the grandmother.

Down the street were the teen mom and baby. A forensics investigation found she tried to run away before the shooter caught up with her. The sheriff said the killer stood over her and fired multiple rounds into her skull,“assassination-style.”

I know for a fact this 10-month-old baby was relying on the comfort of his mother," he said. "There was no reason for them to shoot that baby, but they did.

“It is very clear that this family was a target,” he added.

Three people survived, including the man who hid in the home as the killings happened.

He was in such a state of fear that all he could do was hold the door, hoping he was not the next victim,” Boudreaux said.

The victims were identified as Rosa Parraz, 72; Eladio Parraz, Jr., 52; Jennifer Analla, 49; Marcos Parraz, 19; Alissa Parraz, 16; and Nycholas Parraz, 10 months.

The sheriff had earlier said the attack was likely a cartel hit, and investigators are now looking into whether it was gang violence.

I am not eliminating that possibility,” he said. “These people were clearly shot in the head and they were also shot in places where the shooter would know that a quick death would occur ... This is also similar to high-ranking gang affiliation and the style of executions that they commit.

The home had been the site of gang activity. The sheriff said it “routinely occurred in the past,” without giving specific details.

On Jan. 3 — less than two weeks before the massacre — a search warrant at the home led to victim Eladio Parraz Jr., being arrested. Boudreaux said the convicted felon was not the “initial intended target” and did not elaborate. Parraz Jr. was released on bail four days later, and killed nine days after that.

Authorities in the rural agricultural community between Fresno and Bakersfield are looking for two suspects and offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their arrests.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218, or remain anonymous by calling or texting 559-725-4194 or emailing tcso@tipnow.com.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.