Killer 'Santa' Was Out to Get His Mom

The man who carried out a Christmas Eve killing spree dressed as Santa Claus had planned to kill his own mother, the Los Angeles Times reports. Bruce Jeffrey Pardo was furious with his mom for siding with his ex-wife in their bitter marital dispute and knew she was invited to the California holiday party he peppered with bullets. She didn't attend because she had the flu.

Detectives believe Pardo also planned to kill his ex-wife's divorce attorney. A car belonging to Pardo containing camping supplies and a map of Mexico was found outside the lawyer's home. Relatives of the nine people killed by Pardo are now dealing with the problem of how to care for the 13 children orphaned in the attack. Two other children lost one parent.
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