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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Three die in shooting rampage

Associated Press

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – A 19-year-old in a black cape and a paintball mask went on a shooting rampage Saturday in his upscale Southern California neighborhood, killing a man and his daughter before committing suicide, authorities said.

William Freund also fired shots into another house and confronted a neighbor outside, said Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

A neighbor said Freund had attended high school with one of the victims, but police don’t believe the two knew each other.

“It may have been random,” Amormino said.

Freund left his home about 9 a.m. and drove less than 100 yards to a house where he killed Vernon Smith, 45, and daughter Christina Smith, 22, with a shotgun, Amormino said. A 20-year-old son escaped after hearing shots.

Freund then walked across the street and fired into another house, Amormino said. A person inside suffered cuts from broken glass.

Another neighbor heard the commotion, came outside and was confronted by the teen, who tried to fire his weapon. When it misfired, Freund went back to his own house and committed suicide, Amormino said.