A man struggling with his former wife over child custody, has been held in jail for killing eight people, including his ex, for a shooting spree in an Orange County hair salon on October 12. After being apprehended, the man allegedly confessed to the killings but has since pleaded not guilty, as reported by the Washington Post and other news media.
At the time of his arrest, S.K. said that the murders, of all but his ex-wife, were "collateral damage" in court papers.
S.K., 42, was arraigned on eight counts of murder, and one of attempted murder.
Per authorities, S.K. wore a bulletproof vest when he entered Seal Beach's Salon Meritage where his wife, M.F., was employed. He took aim not only at her but also at her fellow co-workers, patrons, and, as he fled, a man sitting in a car in the parking lot.
Witnesses helped police locate S.K. soon after. He was still near the scene of the shootings when he allegedly confessed to police, stating that he had been upset with his former wife due to the couple's long battle over the custody of their 8 year-old son.
Scott Simmons, the prosecutor in the case, is seeking the death penalty. Simmons expects S.K.'s defense to be one of insanity. To prepare, Simmons has already requested records from S.K.'s psychiatrist.
After the hearing Simmons told waiting reporters, "Our position is he was absolutely not insane at the time he committed the crime."
Scott Sanders is representing S.K. He declined to comment to reporters about the case. His client is currently being held without bail.
Dozens of relatives came to the Orange County courtroom to show their support. Many wore T-shirts or buttons that depicted photographs of their deceased loved ones. One victim's husband, P.W., told reporters that he wanted their focus to be on those that were killed and not S.K.
P.W.'s wife, C.W., had worked in the salon that day and was killed in the shooting.
P.W. said, "My wife is the one who deserves all my energy — not this coward who took her from me."
Besides wearing the bulletproof vest, S.K. allegedly armed himself with three handguns before entering the salon. First he took the guns to the beach, to contemplate shooting his ex.
The visit to the beach didn't thwart him. After arriving at the salon he shot people in both the head and chest, in the two-minute long attack, leaving one sole survivor.
S.K. told police that he shot his former wife, her friend that had testified on her behalf in their custody dispute and the owner of the salon. He contended that the owner came at him with a pair of salon scissors.
During the custody battle, S.K. wanted to get more time with his son and change his school, but a court-appointed psychologist had recommended that their shared custody arrangement remain unchanged.
S.K. was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2007 – when an accident had caused him to no longer be able to work as a tugboat operator.
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