Still no known motive in Calif. reservation shooting

By Eric Woomer, Visalia (Calif.) Times-Delta

VISALIA, Calif. -- The investigation continued Monday into the shooting that left five people dead in Tulare County, Calif., as autopsies have been ordered for the four victims and the suspect from Saturday's shooting on an Indian reservation.

The coroner began the first of five autopsies Monday. But, because of the number of deceased and the number of unanswered questions, the investigation could stretch into next week, said Tulare County Sheriff's Capt. Jim Hinesly.

"We are trying to get these done as soon as we can," said Hinesly. "There's just so much to do, though. We are trying to determine what happened, and when."

Deputies say Hector Celaya, 31, shot and killed his mother Irene Celaya, 60, and his uncles, Francisco Moreno, 61, and Bernie Moreno, 53, all of whom were found dead Saturday night on the Tule River Indian Reservation, according to law enforcement.

Deputies also found Hector Celaya's 6-year-old son, Andrew, who was shot at the home on the reservation, which is about 20 miles east of Porterville, Calif. Andrew was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, Calif.

After the shootings, Celaya fled in a Jeep Grand Cherokee with his two other children, Linea and Alyssa, ages 5 and 8, respectively. Deputies found Celaya around 1:48 a.m. Sunday by using a signal from his cellphone.

Deputies said Celaya was pulled over near Lindsay, Calif., and fired shots at law enforcement. He was shot several times by officers and died hours later at the hospital in Fresno.

It's believed that sometime between the reservation and the stop near Lindsay that Hector Celaya shot his two daughters, Hinesly said. However, it hasn't been ruled out that the children's wounds may have been caused by shots fired by the deputies. Several officers were placed on paid administrative leave, the Sheriff's office said in a written statement.

Alyssa died Sunday as a result of her injuries. Andrew was listed in serious condition and Linea is listed in critical condition, said Mary Lisa Russell, Community Regional Medical Center's spokeswoman.

Hinesly said ballistics tests will allow the department to rule on whether the deputies' bullets struck the children.

Tribal leaders reacted to the tragedy Monday, saying the shootings have put the tribe's members into a state of "shock and disbelief."

"I am deeply saddened by this heartbreaking tragedy. This has been one of the most horrific losses our community has ever faced," said Neil Peyron, the chairman of the Tule River Indian Tribal Council. "We will begin the healing process by holding a candlelight vigil for the victims throughout the week."

Hector and Irene Celaya and Frank and Bernie Moreno were described by tribal leaders as members of the community who lived on the reservation, but were not members of the tribe.

Peyron declined to elaborate on the process which allows people to live on the reservation without being members of the tribe.

Celaya's children, however, were members of the tribe.

Peyron urged people to respect the privacy of the family and friends of the victims, many of whom live on the reservation and attended a church service Sunday. The church bells rang each time it was announced that someone died.

Peyron added that the tribe hopes an immediate investigation by the sheriff's department will shed light on the motive for the killings.

Hinesly remained tight-lipped on any motive Monday, stating any comment would be pure speculation.

At least 12 detectives and deputies are working on the case at the reservation, Hinesly said.

"It's a lot of leg work. We are going to have to talk to everyone who talked to him prior to the shooting. We hope that will lead to some type of motive," Hinesly said. "We still have a lot of interviews to do."