Two people are dead and a suspect is in custody after a reported break-in and shooting at a Tulare home.
“My whole world is shattered because somebody decided to take my family’s life. And now those kids are traumatized for the rest of their life,” said Destiny Mills.
Through tears, Mills shared her pain after her cousin-in-law, 38-year-old Raymond Garza, and his mother, 58-year-old Melissa Quinn, were killed in their home early Thursday morning.
Mills says Garza’s three children were also in the house when the intruder broke in.
The mother of Garza’s youngest children tragically passed away in 2019.
Now, the two young kids are left without their mother or father.
“These kids had one parent left and they took that from them,” said Mills.
Tulare police say they received a 911 call from someone in the home reporting an intruder.
When officers arrived, they found the two victims in the house with unspecified injuries.
Garza died at the scene, while Quinn later died at the hospital.
Police also found the suspect in the backyard with gunshot wounds.
They believe he was shot by someone in the home but survived and is now in custody.
Mills says the family has more questions than answers.
“It doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t make no sense. So, the whole family is in like shambles right now trying to figure out why this happened. And why they would target them because they’re good people,” Mills explained.
As the police investigation continues, Mills is sharing how Garza will be remembered.
“Raymond always showed up for family. He was always there at all the birthday parties, all the family events, he was always there, always. He was a big part of our life and our family,” Mills said.
Mills has set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact detectives.