Seal Beach Salon Shooting: Scott Dekraai Arrested in Massacre

By Justin L. Ayoub, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, October 13, 2011

Police have identified the Seal Beach shooter responsible for killing eight people and wounding three others in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Authorities arrested 42-year old Scott Dekraai approximately a half-mile from the crime scene.

Dekraai opened fire at 1:30 p.m. local time at the Salon Meritage. One man and five women died at the salon. One man and one woman died after being taken to the hospital.

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Dekraai was the ex-husband of a stylist at the salon, employees said. One of the cosmetologists at the salon was listed as Michelle Dekraai.

Seal Beach police Sergeant Stephen Bowles said, "There may be something to the motive as to the relationship with somebody in the salon, that is our assumption."

The suspect was placed into a patrol car and was taken away from the scene hours after the shooting,

The man was cooperative with police when stopped, according to Bowles.

Kari Salveson has known Michelle Dekraai for over 10 years and knew she and her ex-husband were in an acrimonious custody dispute over their son.

Neighbors of the shooter said he was an outgoing, friendly man, inviting them over to the house he's lived in for six years for pool parties.

Dekraai was in an arduous custody battle over his son, neighbors said.

"It was a difficult battle and he was trying to get more time" with his son, said Jo Cornhall, a neighbor who lives across the street from Dekraai.

The shooters' next door neighbor, Stephanie Malchow, 29, was in disbelief when she heard the news.

"I'm like, no, not this neighbor, no way, he's the nicest guy ever," Malchow said.

Police are still trying to piece together a timeline of the shooting. They wouldn't disclose what kind of weapon the gunman used.

"We're unsure at this point if he shot from the entrance and people, as they were shot, ran in seeking shelter, but we have fatalities throughout the salon," Bowles said in a news conference.

Seal Beach has had just one other homicide over the last four years, Bowles said. The shooting was the worst tragedy the town has ever experienced.