LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, Calif., Sept. 7 (UPI) — A Los Angeles firefighter allegedly shot and killed his wife, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, over the weekend in what law enforcement said appeared to be a murder-suicide.
Los Angeles County firefighter James M. Taylor is accused of entering the home of his wife Sunday night and shooting her. Neighbors told 911 dispatchers a woman could be heard screaming in the home.
Taylor then fled the scene and drove to a fire station in Pacoima, Calif., investigators said.
Taylor’s wife, Cecilia Hoschet, 32, was an off-duty deputy who worked at the Inmate Reception Center of the LA County jail for two years, authorities said. The suspected gunman was a six-year member of his fire brigade.
Officials said the couple’s 6-year-old son was inside the home at the time his mother was killed, though he was not hurt.
A motive for the crime was not immediately revealed nor addressed.
“We lost a wonderful deputy last night,” LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said Monday. “Deputy Hoschet impressed everyone she met at the LA County Sheriff’s Department with her positive and helpful approach to her work. She will be missed.”
The couple’s relationship status was not immediately known.
“Today is a sad day for all public safety personnel in LA County,” Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby said. “On behalf of the entire fire department, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends facing the pain of their loss. Our thoughts are with everyone who was impacted by this tragedy.”
