Maria Ines Morales, 45

Maria Ines Morales, a 45-year-old Latina, was fatally shot Monday, Aug. 11, in the 14000 block of Herron Street in Sylmar, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before 9 p.m., Morales’ son called 911 to report that his father was firing a gun in the home, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers arrived and found Marina Ines Morales in the living room. She had been shot multiple times.

Police then found a 59-year-old man, later identified as Albino Topete Morales, who is Latino, in a bedroom lying on a mattress. Police said it seemed as though he was waiting for police and was taken into custody without a struggle.

Morales, who had been married to Maria Morales for more than 25 years, had been drinking heavily, police said.

A Colt .45-caliber pistol was on a table in the bedroom along with a handwritten note in Spanish.

Morales was charged with murder Aug. 14, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. He is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 11.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Efren Gutierrez at (818) 838-9948. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz