Utah man kills woman, himself in shootingSALT LAKE CITY -- A man killed his estranged wife Monday morning as she arrived to work at a high school and then turned the gun on himself, police said.
The victims were identified as Marisela Lavalle, 39, and Federico Cervantes-Lavalle, 52. No one else was injured and no students were involved. Witnesses reported seeing Cervantes-Lavalle get out of his car outside the West High School faculty parking lot about 6 a.m., where his wife, a school cafeteria worker, had just parked, police spokesman Dwayne Baird said. A struggle ensued before he pulled out a .38 caliber handgun and shot Lavalle at least three times in the head and chest, Baird said. Witnesses said Cervantes-Lavalle then shot himself in the head. Police said the couple had one adult child, and were in the process of divorcing. Classes were to be held as normal but crisis counselors were available at the school near downtown Salt Lake City.
"The mood is very subdued," Principal Margery Parker said. "We've got some red eyes." © Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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