ARTESIA, CALIFORNIA – A man was fatally shot by his son early Sunday morning in their home, and authorities say that it was a justifiable homicide. According to Artesia Police Commander Lindell Smith, John Baeza Sr., 34, was shot dead in the 900 block of West Chisum Street.
An incident report filed by officers alleged that Baeza and his wife argued regularly, with numerous escalations to physical confrontations, and occurrences when he pointed a firearm at her.
Their final argument and physical confrontation occurred on Sunday, when Baeza hit the woman multiple times and pointed a gun at her head. That’s when police say someone else fired shots and Baeza was fatally wounded.
Commenting on the case, Commander Smith said, “No person is going to be charged for the death unless some other significant evidence presents itself,” adding that the name of the shooter was not released to the media, “because by statute and definition he has not committed a crime.”
While the loss of life is regrettable, inflicting fear and pain on others is even more regrettable. It appears that Mr. Baeza reaped what he sowed. From all indications it appears that he had terrorized his wife repeatedly, and on Sunday his son stepped up and became the real man of the house by defend his mother and putting an end to his father’s reign of terror and abuse.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, or know someone who is, help is available from the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7223) or at www.thehotline.org.
