If you or someone you know is in need of support, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788. You can also access their chat option.

A woman from California lost her life in a murder-suicide on the same day she secured a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, as reported by authorities.

This 54-year-old woman obtained the restraining order at the Whittier Courthouse earlier on a Tuesday, which stopped her 59-year-old ex-boyfriend from contacting her or her 26-year-old son, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Hugo Reynaga.

Her son recounted that around 11:30 p.m., while at home in their two-bedroom apartment, he heard a loud noise at the front door. The ex-boyfriend had forcefully entered by kicking the door down and shot the woman’s son in the hip.

The suspect then proceeded to the woman’s bedroom.

“As (the son) was attempting to escape the apartment, he heard her screaming and then another gunshot,” Reynaga stated. “Eventually, his mother stopped screaming.”

The 26-year-old, struggling to walk due to his injuries, managed to get outside and communicate with deputies, at which point they heard another shot coming from inside the apartment.

“Both the suspect and the mother were found dead inside the apartment,” Reynaga confirmed.

The woman’s son was reported to be in stable condition on Wednesday.

Authorities were previously called to the woman’s home 16 times since 2021

The identity of the woman has not been released as authorities are still contacting her family.

Reynaga confirmed that since June, deputies had responded to the woman’s apartment seven times due to domestic violence complaints related to the suspect. In total, they had been called to the home 16 times since 2021, with all incidents involving the woman, her son, and the suspect.

He noted that when individuals obtain restraining orders, the court usually issues the order but also requests that they provide a copy to their local law enforcement agency.

This woman may have planned to visit the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station the following day to deliver a copy of her restraining order, as per Reynaga’s statement.

Reynaga pointed out that restraining orders are limited and only effective to a certain degree, emphasizing that they essentially represent “a piece of paper.” He advised individuals who obtain such orders to stay alert and immediately inform police if they spot the person they have been ordered to avoid.

“She never reached there since the incident occurred on the same day she got the order,” he remarked. “They were not prepared for this … He arrived at 11:30 at night, catching them off guard. He broke in, which is akin to a home invasion. You simply don’t anticipate it.”

Understanding Protective and Restraining Orders

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides numerous resources for victims and their families, including vital legal help information and insight into the obstacles abuse survivors often encounter.

• A protective order is a legal document that prevents your partner from physically approaching you or causing harm or harassment to you, your children, or other relatives.
• Applications for protective orders can be made at local courthouses.
• While protective orders can help curb physical abuse, their effectiveness hinges on the partner’s willingness to comply with the law and law enforcement’s ability to enforce them. Psychological abuse can still take place, and having a protective order should not substitute a safety plan.

Additional Legal Resources

• WomensLaw.org offers information regarding laws on protective and restraining orders and child custody on a state-by-state basis.
• Legal Services Corporation is a nonprofit entity established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income individuals. It currently funds 134 independent nonprofit legal aid providers across all states, D.C., and U.S. territories.
• VINE gives crime victims access to timely and accurate information regarding criminal cases and the custody status of offenders at all hours. Victims and members of the public can also register to receive notifications via phone, email, or TTY devices.
• The National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors caters to the specific needs of survivors of gender-based violence who may have faced criminalization related to their abuse, offering specialized support, resources, and technical assistance.
• Seek assistance from a volunteer legal services provider (attorneys providing free legal aid to low-income individuals) or a local advocacy organization about taking action against your partner for offenses such as criminal assault, aggravated assault, harassment, stalking, or interference with child custody.