An on-going vigil for the victims of the Salon Meritage shootings continues outside the site of the worst mass murder in Orange County history. A candlelight vigil was held in front of the salon Thursday night, Oct. 13. Visitors were still bringing flowers, balloons and candles to the growing street memorial Sunday morning, Oct. 16. Few of the visitors spoke. A radio news station van was present, but the reporters were nowhere in sight.
Grace Community Church provided grief counseling to the families of the victims Saturday morning, Oct. 15. (The church will provide more grief counseling on Monday night, Oct. 17.)
Seal Beach Pavilions and Los Alamitos Vons raisied donations for the newly established Seal Beach Victims’ Fund.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will seek the death penalty in the Salon Meritage murders, the Associated Press reported at 11:39 p.m. The announcement was made at a Santa Ana press conference. Acting Seal Beach Police Chief Tim Olson was with District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. Interim Police Chief Robert Luman was on vacation when eight people were murdered in Seal Beach.
The victims of the Salon Meritage murders have been identified. Other media, including the Orange County Register, identified the victims based on current or past married names. According to Seal Beach Police Sgt. Steve Bowles, police took the names of the victims from their current California drivers’ licenses.
The sole survivor has been identified as Hattie Stretz, 71, of Los Alamitos. She was a salon client having her hair done by her daughter, murder victim Laura Lee Elody, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. She is currently listed in good condition.
The dead are:
Randy Lee Fannin, 62, of Murrieta, salon owner
Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54, of Laguna Beach, salon employee
Lucia Bernice Kondas, 64, of Huntington Beach, a salon client
Laura Lee Elody, 46, of Huntington Beach, salon employee and daughter of survivor Hattie Stretz
Christy Lynn Wilson, 46, of Lakewood, salon employee
Michelle Marie Fournier, 47, of Los Alamitos, salon employee and ex-wife of the shooter. They were reportedly in a custody dispute.
Michelle Daschbach Fast, 46, of Seal Beach, salon employee
David Caouette, 63, of Seal Beach
The man charged with their murders is Scott Evans Dekraai, 42, of Huntington Beach. Dekraai is currently being held without bail. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has announced it will seek the death penalty against Dekraai.
Sea Coast Grace Church of Seal Beach held a prayer service at 7 p.m., Wednesday night. Another service is scheudled at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13.
A candlelight vigil was held outside Salon Meritage Thursday night, Oct. 14.
“The candle-light vigil was a beautiful testimony to how we take care of each other,” wrote District 1 Councilwoman Ellery Deaton in a recent e-mail to her consituents.
“It has amazed me how many of the press have asked, ‘So, is this the end of Mayberry?’ How could that even cross anyone’s mind after the vigil? The love and caring that was shared was a beautiful tribute to our closeness as a town,” Deaton wrote. ” And the greatest sign of our community’s endurance is its young people. The love and unity that flowed from them was inspiring. The vigil was started on Facebook by teens and the estimates of the press have been that there were 2.500 to 4.000 people in attendance singing, praying, giving tribute.”
“The Police Department has done a very efficient job from the arrest, through the investigation and in comforting the grieving,” wrote Deaton.
Initial report
Eight people are dead and one is wounded following a shooting in Seal Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Authorities initially reported six people were shot and killed and three critically wounded in a shooting at the Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Old Town Seal Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Seal Beach Police Sgt. Steve Bowles said one victim was found outside the building.
Family members of the victims have been put up at the Senior Center of the Mary Wilson Library, 707 Electric Ave. They are waiting for a police psychologist, according to Dr. Marissa Pei.
With helicopters buzzing overhead, a crowd of people gathered around the crime scene along with personnel from various nearby law enforcement agencies from as far away as Cypress and multiple media outlets. The Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station went on lockdown at about 2:30 p.m.
Police arrested a suspect on 12th Street and Central Avenue whom witnesses said was dressed in full body armor. Police Sgt. Steve Bowles said the man had multiple guns in his possession when he was arrested. The suspect did not resist arrest.
He was later identified as Scott Evans Dekraai, 42, of Huntington Beach. Dekraai faces multiple counts of murder. According to Bowles, the motive for the mass murder is still under investigation. The District Attorney’s office announced it will seek the death penalty in the case.
Lorraine Bruelle, who has worked at the salon or the past 12 years, but does not work on Wednesdays, was distraught when she arrived at the crime scene.
The Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station increased security when word of the crime reached the military base. “Once the shooting took place we did increase security measures at both the weapons station and our adjoining family housing area,” said Gregg Smith, NWS public affairs officer “However, once it was determined that the suspect was in custody and no threat existed to our personnel, those increased security measures were relaxed.”
Developing story.
