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Hector Lionel Alfaro was a 52-year-old resident of Lakewood, California, who became the subject of national news headlines following a tragic family murder-suicide incident on January 15, 2026.

The Tragic Lakewood Murder-Suicide Incident

On the morning of January 15, 2026, at approximately 8 a.m., deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a home in the 5800 block of Lorelei Avenue in Lakewood after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. The caller, who turned out to be Alfaro’s 19-year-old eldest daughter, reported that her father had shot at her and was now unconscious nearby.

Upon entering the single-story residence, deputies discovered a devastating scene:

• Hector Lionel Alfaro52, was found lying in the den with a fatal gunshot wound to his upper torso. He had shot himself in front of his eldest daughter after firing several rounds at her (none of which struck her).
• His 48-year-old wife was located in one bedroom, deceased from a gunshot wound to the torso.
• His 17-year-old youngest daughter was found in a separate bedroom, also deceased from a similar gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Two firearms were recovered at the scene. Authorities quickly ruled the event a murder-suicidewith no ongoing threat to the community. The eldest daughter, who had been asleep when she heard the initial gunshots, escaped unharmed physically but was left emotionally distraught. She alerted authorities after the events unfolded.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Alfaro fatally shot his wife and youngest daughter before attempting to shoot his eldest daughter and ultimately taking his own life. No motive has been publicly disclosed as the investigation continues.

Who Was Hector Lionel Alfaro?

Prior to this incident, little public information was available about Hector Lionel Alfaro beyond his role as a family man living in a quiet Lakewood neighborhood. He resided with his wife and two daughters in what neighbors and officials described as a typical suburban home. The family had not previously been highlighted in public records or news to criminal activity.

Lakewood City Councilmember Todd Rogers described the event as “a very tragic day for our community,” underscoring the shock felt in the area. The incident occurred in a region with relatively low violent crime rates—Lakewood reported only one homicide in 2025.

Family members, including a brother-in-law of Alfaro, have expressed support for the surviving daughter and other relatives in the aftermath. The names of the wife and daughters have not been released publicly out of respect for the family.