Death Penalty Sought in Seal Beach Mass Murders

The tears were a dead giveaway.

Tony Rackauckas, the Orange County District Attorney, could not contain his emotion and wasted no words when he said the alleged gunman in Wednesday's "senseless murder spree" in Seal Beach should get the death penalty.

Scott Dekraai—who allegedly carried three guns and stopped to reload while spraying Salon Meritage with bullets—faces eight felony counts of murder with special circumstances, and one charge of attempted murder.

Rackauckas announced the charges Friday morning as he stood before the media—and nation—and said Dekraii deserved to die.

"Oct. 12, 2011, was a day that should have never been visited upon the special community of Seal Beach, California," he said. "The people of the community were made victims of a bloody massacre by a methodical and merciless killer."

Authorities said Friday that Dekraai was motivated by revenge when he armed himself with pistols and body armor. Among the dead was his ex-wife Michelle Fournier, with whom he had a son.

Dekraai professed love for his child, but now the boy has to grow up without him, Rackauckas said. "He has to grow up knowing his dad was a mass murderer. What kind of twisted fatherly love might that be?" he said through tears.

There were 20 people inside the salon in Old Towne when the shooter entered. Some survived by playing dead or hiding in back rooms, authorities said.

"He stopped to reload during the spree and he continued gunning people down for about two minutes," Rackauckas said. "Dekraai shot victim after victim, executing them by shooting them in the head and the chest."

Dekraai allegedy shot nine. Only one survived.

"This coward left children without parents and parents without children ... and this coward has left many of us without dear friends. I am both saddened and angry," said Seal Beach Police Chief Tim Olson.

Also in the room with Rackauckas during the press conference held to announce the murder charges were tear-streaked city officials and Seal Beach police officers, many of whom knew the victims.

Fournier and Dekraai were locked in a custody battle. Within the past two months, Dekraai reportedly violated custody orders, according to Olson. 

Randy Lee Fannin, 62; Christy Lynn Wilson, 47;  Michelle Daschbach Fast, 47; Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54; Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65; Laura Lee Elody; 46, and David Caouette, 64. 

"He was willing to end any life in his path and he did," Rackauckas said. "We will not forget any of these people. Their lives matter."

Rackauckas said he normally convenes a panel to determine whether to seek the death penalty, but a committee was not necessary in this case. "There are some cases so callous and so malicious that there is only one punishment that has any chance of fitting the crime."

Dekraai is being held without bail. He will be arraigned on all charges this afternoon.