Murder LA 000011

by James Cohen

Wednesday morning, October 24th, 2012.

Susana Perez-Ruelas, 34, has picked up her 13-year-old son, Antonio Jr, from school for a dentist appointment. She and her husband, Antonio Sr, have been having some financial problems. Their home is in foreclosure. They've listed their 2010 Camaro for sale on Craigslist.

Google Maps street view

While her son waits in the car, Susana stops by United States Fire Protection, the equipment store her husbands co-owns in Downey, and finds two employees dead. Susana's mother-in-law has been shot as well but survives.

Jade Douglas Harris has come for the car.

It's at Susana's home.

Harris forces her to take him to it. At their house, according to a spokeswoman for the business, Antonio Jr offers the Camaro's key in exchange for their safety. Harris raises his gun to the boy's head and threatens him, at which point Susana shoves the assailant. Susana is shot and killed. Antonio Jr is shot. The robber leaves with the Camaro.

Apparently Harris had driven to the first crime scene. KTLA reports that the next day he attempted to retrieve a vehicle he left outside the business, but did not find it there and called police to report it stolen. He was told that he could come pick it up and was arrested doing so.

Arraignment has been postponed until November 28th. Harris may face the death penalty, which California voters recently retained.

Josimar Rojas (26), Irene Cardenas (35) and Susana Perez-Ruelas (34)