California Salon Shooting Leaves 8 Dead, 1 Injured

Michael Konopasek, News 9

SEAL BEACH, California -- Eight people are dead after a man opens fire in a crowded Southern California hair salon. Police arrested one suspect, but are still looking for a motive.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday, police in Seal Beach, California, received a 9-1-1 call for shots fired. When police arrived, they found six people dead and three in critical condition. Just this evening, two of the injured died.

A peaceful afternoon in the southern California community turned deadly after witnesses and police say a man with a gun snapped.

"For the city of Seal Beach, this could be one of our greatest tragedies, and it has had a tremendous effect on our small community," said Sergeant. Steve Bowles of the Seal Beach Police Department.

Police say every hair station at the salon was occupied when the gunfire erupted. They also say it appears customers were taking cover when they were murdered.

"He looked as though he was either drunk or on drugs," said witness Linda King.

The owner of the salon's shopping center was stunned to learn of the tragedy.

"The whole harmony of that salon was just fabulous," said Judy Rodriguez Watson, shopping center owner. "I've lived here for 25 years. I've never heard of anything like this."

Police say they are not aware of any motive behind the killings, but a friend of one of the salon's employees says she believes her friend's ex-husband is responsible.

"He had gone in and warned her before that he was going to do something like this," said the friend.

Police say they arrested one suspect a half mile away from the scene without incident. Police also say they are continuing to follow additional leads. One person was still in critical condition as of late Wednesday evening.

Police say the city of Seal Beach has gone multiple years with no murders until Wednesday.