Wife 'shot her suburban LA mayor husband dead as he fought with their teenage son' is RELEASED without charge hours later
- Daniel Crespo, mayor of Bell Gardens, California, died on Tuesday afternoon after he was shot multiple times in the torso by his wife Lyvette
- He had been arguing with his wife Lyvette when their 19-year-old son intervened and Crespo punched him in the face
- Lyvette grabbed a gun and shot her husband multiple times in the torso
- Family members said the couple had been arguing about money
- Police questioned Mrs Crespo but she was released without being charged
The mayor of a Los Angeles suburb has died after being shot multiple times in the torso by his wife during an argument - but she has been released without being charged.
Lyvette Crespo, 43, shot her husband Daniel Crespo, 45, to stop him from beating their 19-year-old son, who had intervened as the couple fought at their home in Bell Gardens at 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Mayor Crespo was pronounced dead at hospital, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Crystal Hernandez said. His wife was detained and questioned, but later released without being charged.
Family members said the couple, who had been married since they were teenagers, had recently been fighting about money, KTLA reported.
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Killed: Daniel Crespo, the mayor of Bell Gardens in California, has been shot dead by his wife Lyvette, pictured, during a domestic fight at their home. Mrs Crespo apparently shot her husband after he punched her son
Official: Daniel Crespo, pictured, and his wife married in New York in 1986 before moving to Califonia
Sheriff's homicide detectives 'determined that no arrests will be made at this time' after interviewing Mrs Crespo, the department said in a statement late on Tuesday.
'The facts of the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office who will determine if criminal charges will be filed.'
Paramedics were called to the couple's Bell Gardens condominium shortly after 2:30 p.m.
Crespo and his wife had gotten into an argument in the master bedroom of the home, Hernandez said. Crespo's brother, William, told KTLA that the mayor had wanted to sleep but his wife wouldn't let him.
'He was tired, he was working all night, and working the days,' he said. 'He wanted to sleep. She wouldn’t let him sleep.'
Their son, Daniel Jr., 19, tried to intervene and Crespo got into a struggle with him. Crespo then punched his son in the face, NBC LA reported.
Scene: Mayor Crespo was shot to death on Tuesday afternoon during an argument with his wife in the bedroom of their Bell Gardens condominium (pictured), authorities said. She has not been charged
Heartbroken: Unidentified relatives and friends of Bell Gardens mayor Daniel Crespo, grieve inside the city's police station in Bell Gardens, California, on Tuesday
Emotional: Friends cling on to each other after the death of Crespo, who was mayor of Bell Gardens
His wife then grabbed a gun and shot Crespo several times in the torso. He died en route to a hospital, Bell Gardens Fire Department officials confirmed.
Crespo's son was taken to a hospital for injuries to his face from the struggle and was then questioned by authorities.
Crespo and his wife were high school sweethearts who married in 1986. They met in New York, according to a biography on the city's website.
The couple then moved to Bell Gardens and they had a daughter in 1987 and a son in 1994.
'I couldn't believe it - I still can't believe it,' Crespo's brother, William Crespo, told NBC Los Angeles. 'I have a sick mom and now my brother is gone. He loved (his family) more than life. He loved his wife a lot, he always loved his wife.'
Official: Crespo, who had been a county deputy probation officer for the past 15 years, was first elected to the City Council in 2001. He is pictured right in his official portrait at the city's police station
Loved: Crespo, a father to a teenage boy and a daughter in her 20s, is pictured with his sister
He is pictured with Baroness Kimberly Moore, a Goodwill Ambassador, whom he presented a key to the city
State lawmakers said they were shocked and devastated by the news of Crespo’s death.
State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and state Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) released a joint statement on Tuesday night, saying that the shooting death of Crespo 'is shocking and a tremendous loss for our close-knit community'.
'Mayor Crespo was a respected public servant who dedicated his life to protecting and helping others in southeast Los Angeles and throughout the region.'
The city's website on Tuesday night had an image of a black bow and a statement from Mayor Pro Tem Priscilla Flores and three council members that said the shooting doesn't appear to be related to Crespo's mayoral activities.
Tragedy: The shooting stemmed from an afternoon quarrel between Crespo, 45, and his wife, Lavette, 43, that escalated when their 19-year-old son, Daniel Jr., intervened
'Our thoughts and prayers should be with Mayor Crespo's family at this tragic time,' the statement said.
Bell Gardens, a suburb of about 43,000, is located about 18 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Crespo was elected to the City Council in 2001. The council is a part-time job and members take turns serving as mayor.
Crespo, who had been a county deputy probation officer for the past 15 years, was first elected to the City Council in 2001, according to the bio posted on the City of Bell Gardens website.
- Southern California mayor shot multiple times and killed, wife released from police custody: cops - NY Daily News
- Wife Released After Questioning in Fatal Shooting of Bell Gardens Mayor | NBC Southern California
- Mayor of Bell Gardens Fatally Shot in Domestic Dispute; Wife Questioned and Released | KTLA
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