Bruce Jeffrey Pardo

Bruce Jeffry Pardo was born on March 23, 1963, in the United States and spent much of his life in Southern California, primarily in the San Fernando Valley region. He graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, Los Angeles, before earning a college degree from California State University, Northridge. Pardo later pursued a career in electrical engineering.

During his professional life, Pardo worked for several engineering-related organizations, including employment at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge. In later years, he was employed by ITT Corporation’s Electronic Systems Radar division. Prior to 2008, he had no criminal record and no documented history of violent behavior.

In 2004, Pardo met Sylvia Ortega, a mother of three children from a previous relationship. The couple married in January 2006. According to court records and witness accounts, the marriage experienced significant difficulties within its first year. Financial disagreements were a recurring issue, including Pardo’s refusal to open joint bank accounts and expectations that Sylvia independently support her children.

Additional strain arose during divorce proceedings when allegations surfaced that Pardo had concealed the existence of a child from an earlier relationship and had not paid child or spousal support related to that child. By 2007, the marriage had effectively ended, and formal divorce proceedings were underway.

By mid-2008, Pardo was facing escalating personal and financial stress. In June 2008, a family court ordered him to pay $1,785 per month in spousal support. During this period, he reportedly told acquaintances that he believed the divorce was financially devastating. In July 2008, Pardo was terminated from his job at ITT Corporation after being accused of falsifying work-hour records. Due to his unemployment, the court temporarily suspended his spousal support obligation.

The divorce was finalized approximately one week before Christmas 2008. As part of the settlement, Pardo was ordered to pay Sylvia Ortega $10,000, while she retained her wedding ring and the family dog. Court filings indicate that Pardo objected to these terms, claiming that Sylvia was living rent-free with her parents while spending money on travel, luxury items, gambling trips, and recreational activities.

On the night of December 24, 2008, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Pardo arrived at the Covina, California home of his former in-laws, where a Christmas Eve family gathering was taking place. He was wearing a Santa Claus suit and arrived in a rented vehicle. When the door was opened by an eight-year-old family member, Pardo produced a handgun and opened fire, seriously wounding the child. He then fired multiple rounds at other guests as they attempted to escape.

Pardo had brought multiple 9mm handguns and a large gift-wrapped package containing a rolling air compressor that had been modified to spray racing fuel. After discharging his firearms, he released the fuel throughout the house. Investigators believe he intended to ignite the fuel with a flare, but contact with an existing flame caused an immediate explosion and rapid fire spread.

The combination of gunfire and arson resulted in the deaths of nine people, all members of the Ortega family, including his former wife. Three additional victims were seriously injured. One survivor escaped to a neighboring residence and contacted law enforcement, identifying Pardo as the attacker.

Despite extensive planning, the explosion caused Pardo to suffer third-degree burns on his arms and legs. He fled the scene, removed the Santa suit, and drove to his brother’s residence in Sylmar, California. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on December 25, 2008, Pardo was found dead inside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the mouth. His brother was not present at the time.

A toxicology report later confirmed the presence of cocaine in Pardo’s system.

Subsequent searches revealed the scale of his preparation. A rental vehicle parked near the Sylmar residence contained his Santa suit rigged with an incendiary device and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition. At his Montrose home, investigators recovered empty firearm boxes, shotguns, fuel containers, and materials described by authorities as consistent with explosive or incendiary construction.

Law enforcement concluded that the attack was premeditated and motivated by resentment related to divorce proceedings, financial disputes, and personal grievances. No evidence suggested ideological or political motives.