2 Filipinos killed, 2 hurt in Salinas domestic violence shootings

Salinas, California shooting fatalities Felicidad and Oliver Legaspi. FACEBOOK PHOTOS

SAN FRANCISCO — A man was arrested for allegedly shooting to death two relatives of his Filipino wife and wounding her and her cousin in Salinas, California Thursday, August 27.

Suspect Sammuel Ejaz, 50, of Pakistani descent, shot to death Felicidad Legaspi, 51, and Oliver Legaspi, 64, his estranged wife’s aunt and uncle, and wounded their son, Alfaro Legaspi, all of Salinas.

Murder suspect Sammuel Ejaz. POLICE PHOTO

Ejaz’s wife was also wounded in the shooting on Thursday outside the Social Security Building in Salinas. His wife and her cousin, Alfaro, are in the hospital and are expected to recover.

Police said Ejaz, of Garden Grove, California, was arrested at the scene of the shootings. He reportedly confessed to the crimes, but pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on Monday, August 31.

Ejaz and his wife were reportedly having marital problems, and his wife, trying to stay away from him, drove from their Garden Grove home to Salinas to stay with her aunt, uncle and cousin.

Police said Ejaz stalked his wife and, finding her outside the federal building, shot her and her relatives with a handgun. Felicidad and Oliver Legaspi died at the scene.

Prosecutors added an enhancement to their complaint because Ejaz used a firearm causing great bodily injury. It adds five years if he is convicted.

Ejaz could face the death penalty for multiple murders. He was placed on suicide watch at the county jail and his bail is set at more than $7 million.

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