Mourners gathered at a vigil Wednesday night to remember loved ones killed after a gunman burst into a busy Seal Beach hair salon and opened fire in a shooting rampage that killed eight people and critically wounded a ninth victim.
Previous Article: 8 Dead in Seal Beach Shooting
"You could be somewhere, innocently, just getting your hair done or your nails done," said Scott Youngren, who attend the vigil. "Before you know it, it's over."
Another vigil is planned for Thursday.
Investigators remained at Salon Meritage early Thursday as they continued to process evidence nearly 12 hours after the massacre, which left bodies scattered throughout the salon. Authorities have not identified any of the victims, and police are still notifying the victims' family members.
"The coroner's office is finishing identifying the victims and making all the family notifications," Sgt. Steve Bowles said early Thursday.
Just a few minutes after the shooting, police arrested 42-year-old Scott Dekraai (pictured) about a half-mile from the salon. Witnesses told NBC4 the man was wearing a protective vest and that police removed weapons from the pickup he was driving.
"He did not resist or provide any problems for our officers," said Bowles.
Dekraai appeared to target his ex-wife, who was working at the salon, witnesses said.
The salon owner, Randy Fannin, is believed to be among the deceased. The family released a statement late Wednesday:
"Our family is struggling to not only make sense of Wednesday's events, but also doing our best to process the overwhelming loss we've all experienced."
The salon was full of customers at the time of the shooting, witnesses said.
"There was like a 'pop pop'... and my receptionist screamed out, 'He just shot that man' and we all went into the bathroom and called 911,'' said Kimberly Criswell, who owns a salon two doors away and knew many hairstylists at Salon Meritage. "I'm sure I've lost some friends today.''
One man and five women were pronounced dead at the salon. One man and one woman died after they were transported to a hospital. One woman remained in critical condition early Thursday.
Six bodies were found inside the salon. One victim was found outside the building.
Police are still attempting to determine the sequence of events.
A service for the victims was conducted late Wednesday at SeaCoast Grace Church in Seal Beach. Kari Salveson, of Los Alamitos, said salon employee Michelle Dekraai, the alleged gunman's ex-wife, made visits to the salon special.
Michelle Dekraai and her ex-husband were involved in a bitter custody dispute over their son, Salveson said.
"She could gab away," Salveson said. "She was one of those girlfriends you could never get enough of. She made you smile and she made you laugh."
Police Continue to Investigate Motive
Authorities have yet to detail a motive for the shooting, but friends of the salon owner and other employees said Scott Dekraai (pictured) was the ex-husband of a stylist who worked there.
"There may be something to the motive as to a relationship with somebody in the salon, that is our assumption," Bowles told the Associated Press. "There are some significant charges he's facing. We want to vertify all the facts."
After Scott Dekraai's arrest, officers went to a house on Melody Lane in nearby Huntington Beach. Crime scene tape was placed around the house, which is registered to Scott Dekraai.
Dekraai's Huntington Beach neighbors described him as outgoing and always welcoming to visitors. He often played catch with his son in the yard of the home.
His next-door neighbor told the Associated Press she last saw him Tuesday morning as she was leaving for work.
"I'm like, no, not this neighbor, no way, he's the nicest guy ever,'' said neighbor Stephanie Malchow, who attended Dekraai's wedding when he married his current wife three years ago.
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