BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Sheriff's investigators say a shooting Sunday night in east Bakersfield appears to be a murder and attempted suicide and likely a case of domestic violence. It happened on the 1600 block of Virginia Street.
A neighbor, Darrell Lawrence says this happened in front of the couple's young children.
"I went in there and said whoo eee," said Lawrence. "I jumped over the fence and went inside and seen both the bodies laying on the floor."
Deputies got called out around 6:45 Sunday night. They found what Lawrence did, a man and a woman both shot. Investigators believe the man shot and killed 31-year-old Rocio Gallegos, then turned the gun on himself.
"She had suffered a gunshot to the upper body. The male had suffered a gunshot to the head. Last I heard he is in very critical condition at Kern Medical Center," said Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer for the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators say three children, ages 7, 5 and 2 were in the home at the time of the shooting. Before deputies got there, Lawrence says he found the kids next to their parents.
"They were full of blood the children. And so I just grabbed the children stuck them over the gate and and the police came from there," said Lawrence.
Monday, the house was quiet and neighbors say it typically always was, with no problems. But now, blood stained the children's sidewalk art in front of the house. And, there is a single red rose someone placed nearby for what is likely the latest domestic violence victim and her children.
"If you are a victim try to have the strength to report it to us because we might be able to intercede and get some help," said Pruitt.
Lawrence says he believes the man was drunk Sunday night. The Sheriff's Department could not confirm that or disclose if the couple had past domestic violence issues. The Kern County Sheriff's Office encourages everyone to report cases of domestic violence if it's suspected. And, if you are a victim, you can call the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, 24-hours at 327-1091.
A neighbor, Darrell Lawrence says this happened in front of the couple's young children.
"I went in there and said whoo eee," said Lawrence. "I jumped over the fence and went inside and seen both the bodies laying on the floor."
Deputies got called out around 6:45 Sunday night. They found what Lawrence did, a man and a woman both shot. Investigators believe the man shot and killed 31-year-old Rocio Gallegos, then turned the gun on himself.
"She had suffered a gunshot to the upper body. The male had suffered a gunshot to the head. Last I heard he is in very critical condition at Kern Medical Center," said Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer for the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators say three children, ages 7, 5 and 2 were in the home at the time of the shooting. Before deputies got there, Lawrence says he found the kids next to their parents.
"They were full of blood the children. And so I just grabbed the children stuck them over the gate and and the police came from there," said Lawrence.
Monday, the house was quiet and neighbors say it typically always was, with no problems. But now, blood stained the children's sidewalk art in front of the house. And, there is a single red rose someone placed nearby for what is likely the latest domestic violence victim and her children.
"If you are a victim try to have the strength to report it to us because we might be able to intercede and get some help," said Pruitt.
Lawrence says he believes the man was drunk Sunday night. The Sheriff's Department could not confirm that or disclose if the couple had past domestic violence issues. The Kern County Sheriff's Office encourages everyone to report cases of domestic violence if it's suspected. And, if you are a victim, you can call the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, 24-hours at 327-1091.