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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- A Monterey County man opened fire at a wastewater facility in Santa Cruz on Friday, fatally shooting a man and seriously wounding his estranged wife before killing himself, police said.
Steven Harold Smith, 50, of Aromas, shot two fellow employees about 6:40 a.m. at the Lode Street Wastewater Facility in the Live Oak section of Santa Cruz, sheriff's Sgt. Fred Plageman said.
Mike Sotello, 41, of Santa Cruz died at the scene. He was the supervisor for office administration, Plageman said.The suspect's wife, Tamara Smith, 45, tried to escape in her car, but was shot multiple times, police said. She was hospitalized in grave condition, Plageman said.
Police said co-workers described the shooting as the result of a love triangle, but additional details were unavailable.
"It appears that there is a relationship between at least two of the people involved," Plageman said.
Steven Smith was the pump station maintenance supervisor, and his wife was a maintenance worker. The two were in the process of getting divorced, Plageman said.
More than 30 law enforcement officers searched the scene, but found no additional suspects. Several witnesses also were being interviewed by investigators.
About 40 people work at the Lode Street facility, which is operated by the Santa Cruz County Sanitation District and processes sewage from Live Oak, as well as the nearby towns of Capitola, Soquel and Aptos.
Action News 8 will have updates at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m
link http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/13210737/detail.html
Steven Harold Smith, 50, of Aromas, shot two fellow employees about 6:40 a.m. at the Lode Street Wastewater Facility in the Live Oak section of Santa Cruz, sheriff's Sgt. Fred Plageman said.
Mike Sotello, 41, of Santa Cruz died at the scene. He was the supervisor for office administration, Plageman said.The suspect's wife, Tamara Smith, 45, tried to escape in her car, but was shot multiple times, police said. She was hospitalized in grave condition, Plageman said.
Police said co-workers described the shooting as the result of a love triangle, but additional details were unavailable.
"It appears that there is a relationship between at least two of the people involved," Plageman said.
Steven Smith was the pump station maintenance supervisor, and his wife was a maintenance worker. The two were in the process of getting divorced, Plageman said.
More than 30 law enforcement officers searched the scene, but found no additional suspects. Several witnesses also were being interviewed by investigators.
About 40 people work at the Lode Street facility, which is operated by the Santa Cruz County Sanitation District and processes sewage from Live Oak, as well as the nearby towns of Capitola, Soquel and Aptos.
Action News 8 will have updates at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m
link http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/13210737/detail.html
