Argument leads to murder of suspect’s grandmother
A Mission Hills man is now in custody after fatally stabbing his grandmother during a December 16th confrontation. In an LAPD press release, officers announced the arrest of 22-year-old Joe Calderon for the murder of the elderly victim, who was in her 70’s.
A home becomes a Crime Scene. In this Google Maps image from 2011, a yellow bus is parked at the home of the victim, the suspect's grandmother
Tensions flared the evening before when Calderon and his grandparents began arguing about an unknown issue in their Rincon Avenue house located near San Fernando High School. The next morning, the argument resumed between the victim and Calderon after the grandfather went to work.
As the argument escalated, the victim called one of her daughters reporting physical abuse from Calderon. Once the daughter arrived at the residence, Calderon confronted her with a long metal stick, forcing her to leave and call the police from around the corner. When LAPD officers arrived and detained Calderon at 9 AM, he had blood on his hands.
After officers found Calderon’s grandmother lying on the kitchen floor, local paramedics confirmed her dead of stab wounds. Near her body, authorities found a long barbecue fork and several other “edged weapons.” According to LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon, initial findings showed that blood was on the fork.
“It’s always especially sad and tragic when a child kills the person who raised them,” said Lt. Vernon, “and as violent street crime has dropped in recent years, it’s these inner-family murders that tend to stand out more, not that they are happening any more, but they are no longer overshadowed by the street crime.”
Calderon’s bail was set at $1 million.
Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Gretchen Schultz, Mission Homicide Unit, at (818) 838-9951. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
Read More:
LA Times: Suspect accused of killing grandmother with BBQ fork identified
Daily News: Mission Hill man arrested for stabbing grandmother to death, possibly with BBQ fork
KABC: Mission Hills man arrested for allegedly stabbing grandmother dead
