David Vallerga shoots & kills wife, Lindsey Peralta Vallerga, their two kids then self after saying he had booby trapped their Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, California home. Social media clues painted to a cheerful family but there were dark clues to seething turmoil.
A Sacramento, California father is reported to have shot and killed his wife, their two young children just moments before calling 911 to say he had set up booby traps at the residence before taking his own life.
David Edward Vallerga Jr., 58, his wife Lindsey G. Peralta Vallerga, 49, and their children, 13-year-old Colton Drake Peralta Vallerga and 11-year-old Sydney Peralta Vallerga, were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds inside their home on Mill Water Circle, in Rancho Cordova.
Rancho Cordova dad had threatened booby trapping family home
Police were dispatched to the residence after receiving two phone calls Tuesday morning- one just on 8.30 a.m, from a caller reporting hearing gunshots, and the second one a few minutes later in which the caller reportedly said, ‘I’m the shooter. I’m setting up booby traps and turning off the cellphone,’ according to the Sacramento Bee.
Deputies out of caution evacuated nearby residents and established a security perimeter around the neighborhood as they descended the scene.
A SWAT team and special enforcement units were deployed, and law enforcement made repeated announcements ordering a possible gunman inside the home to come out. When no one responded, authorities used a specialized vehicle to breach a rear fence and deployed a drone to search the interior of the residence. Deputies then located four people inside the home who were unresponsive.
A search of the residence led to investigators saying there was no evidence the home had been booby-trapped.
Neighbors described a loving family on the outside, but there were dark clues
Neighbors described the family as outwardly friendly and deeply involved in their children’s lives.
‘Their kids played with our kids. We’ve been their neighbors for over 14 years,’ said one neighbor. ‘I think I only ever saw smiles on their faces.’
Another neighbor recalled the family frequently stopping by to drop off eggs from chickens they raised in their backyard.
According to local residents, David and Lindsey Vallerga homeschooled their children and ran a tutoring business. Of note the father had a prior military background the nypost reported.
Former military man may have been suffering PTSD
Photos on the Facebook page of David Vallerga show a tight‑knit family and a doting father whose kids appeared to adore him. He is seen taking them to the playground, teaching them to ride bicycles, and going on routine Costco runs.
Nevertheless one neighbor said there were troubling signs behind closed doors. He said he often heard yelling coming from the home late at night while walking his dog.
He described Vallerga as an introvert who may have been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and said he once overheard a violent threat directed at Lindsey where David said, ‘I’m going to F you up!’ The neighbor said he chose not to contact authorities at the time, but feared the situation could escalate.
Posted the father in one recent post while posing with a toy gun alongside his daughter, ‘Sydney learning trigger control from Daddy…’
Authorities continue to investigate.
