A road rage confrontation, possibly over a parking spot, might have led to a weekend shooting that left a Long Beach couple dead, family members say.
Police have not confirmed details about what led to the shooting deaths Saturday of Long Beach residents Maricela Honorato, 44, and Juan Guizar-Gutierrez, 39. Family members at a vigil Sunday said it appears a dispute over a parking spot preceded the shooting.
Another relative in the car with the couple told Honorato's three adult daughters, who attended the Sunday vigil, that the shooting was triggered by road rage.
Daughter Tania Turcios, 21, was studying for an exam when she heard gunshots.
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"I didn't think twice. I didn't grab my shoes or anything. I just went straight outside," said Turcios. "I found my step-dad on the floor and my mother there. My mom, she was still breathing, and I was talking to her. I just told her that I loved her. I knew she was trying to say something, but she couldn't."
The couple had just returned home from fishing. They were followed by a vehicle with two men inside, honking and telling them to move, relatives said. Guizar-Gutierrez may have confronted the men, which escalated into a fight and the shooting.
The shooting occurred shortly before 7:50 p.m. Saturday in the 900 block of Park Circle, across from Drake Park. A memorial for the couple grew at the shooting scene Sunday as people came to pay respects at the evening vigil.
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Police were called to the location Saturday night regarding a fight call.
Officers found Guizar-Gutierrez on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. Honorato was lying in the street, suffering from a gunshot to the upper body.
Guizar-Gutierrez died at the scene. Paramedics rushed Honorato to an area hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
"They’re so sweet, caring working people," said daughter Karen. "She left three daughters behind and one granddaughter. That's not fair for us.
"We wanted my mom and step-dad to live old."
No arrests were reported. Police did not have a detailed description of the shooter.
Long Beach police homicide detectives urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to call them at 562-570-7244 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
