Shooting in small California town leaves six dead, including an infant

Goshen, California - Six people including a 10-month-old baby, her teenage mother, and an elderly woman were killed during a mass shooting in a Central Valley farming community in California.

Authorities in Goshen, California are investigating an "assassination-style" mass shooting that killed six people.
Authorities in Goshen, California are investigating an "assassination-style" mass shooting that killed six people.  © Tulare County Sheriff's Department

According to The Goshen News, the sheriff's department revealed more details about the horrific massacre, which occurred around 3:30 AM on Monday in and around a residence in the Tulare County town of Goshen.

Many of the victims were killed "assassination-style," including an elderly woman who was shot in her sleep. The teenage mother and her child who were both shot in the head as they attempted to flee the scene.

"I know for a fact this 10-month-old baby was relying on the comfort of his mother," explained Sheriff Mike Boudreaux during a press conference. "There was no reason for them to shoot that baby, but they did."

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He also revealed the identity of the victims for the first time: Rosa Parraz (72), Eladio Parraz Jr. (52), Jennifer Analla (49), Marcos Parraz (19), Alissa Parraz (16), and the infant Nycholas Parraz.

While little is known thus far about the gunmen and their motive, Boudreaux says, "None of this was by accident. It was deliberate, intentional, and horrific."

Authorities are still searching for a motive behind the attack

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux delivered an update on the shooting to the media during a press conference on Tuesday.
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux delivered an update on the shooting to the media during a press conference on Tuesday.  © Screenshot / Twitter / @TulareSheriff

Initially after the attack, Sheriff Boudreaux had said that he believed the shooting was gang related. He seemed to walk back the claim during the press conference, but added he isn't "eliminating that possibility."

"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," he explained. "This is also similar to high-ranking gang affiliation and the style of executions that they commit."

The killings may have also been related to a search warrant carried out on January 3 at the home that resulted in the arrest of Eladio Parraz Jr., who was killed in the shooting, and the seizure of guns, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

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Parraz was a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal record, but Boudreaux says he was not the "initial intended target," though he didn't elaborate on the claim.

Authorities say they are hunting for two suspects, and are offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information that may lead to an arrest.

Cover photo: Tulare County Sheriff's Department

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