Iraq War veteran killed sister, 11, then himself but police didn't think he was dangerous

Gilroy police: Iraq War veteran killed sister, 11, then himself

By Julia Prodis Sulek, Lisa Fernandez and Joe Rodriguez Mercury News
Posted: 03/15/2012

A Veterans Affairs spokeswoman in Palo Alto said Gutierrez received treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in Puget Sound, Wash

A 27-year-old Iraq War veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder killed his 11-year-old sister, before fatally turning a gun on himself, according to Gilroy police, who also feared he may have also killed or seriously wounded their mother.

"It's horrible," said Gilroy police Sgt. Chad Gallacinao. "We have no idea where the mom is."

Gilroy police said they rushed to the Redwood Apartments complex on Kern Avenue on Wednesday night after a report that something there might be wrong. When officers arrived, they found the 11-year-old girl -- Lucero -- dead, with a bullet in her head. They also found the body of her older brother, Abel Gutierrez, who had served with the U.S. Army in Iraq. Police said he may have shot their mother, Martha Gutierrez, 52, before turning the gun on himself.

In the weeks leading up to the violence, neighbors and relatives at the complex reported that Abel Gutierrez was known there for his often troubling, frightening and aberrant behavior toward family and strangers. However, on an emergency call to the family residence Feb. 29, police determined the young military veteran did not seem dangerous.
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