Dad shoots 4-year-old son to death; county's SECOND father-son murder-suicide in less than two weeks (Hesperia, California)

Absolutely horrible. Practically a gawdamned copy cat killing from the STEPHEN GARCIA case. Like Garcia, dad JESUS ROMAN FUENTES JR. had his son in the car with him, and fatally shot the boy before shooting himself.

This also took place in SAN BERNADINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, just like the Garcia murder LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO.

Hesperia boy, 4, found slain in vehicle with father
By Melissa Pinion-Whitt
Posted: 02/09/2010 06:55:44 AM PST

A Hesperia man shot his 4-year-old son and then turned the gun on himself Monday in the county's second shooting involving a father and son in less than two weeks.

Jesus Roman Fuentes Jr., 34, and his son were flown to a hospital, where the boy died of his wounds. Fuentes was in critical condition, San Bernardino County coroner's officials said.

Motorists found the pair at 6:11 p.m. after Fuentes intentionally crashed his car into a guard rail on Highway 138 north of the entrance to Lake Silverwood.

Paramedics discovered both occupants of the car had suffered gunshot wounds. Coroner's officials said Fuentes shot his son and then himself after crashing the vehicle.

San Bernardino County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.

The incident came nine days after a Pinon Hills man and his 9-month-old son were found dead in Twin Peaks. Sheriff's officials said Stephen Garcia, 25, took his son Wyatt Garcia, of Yucca Valley, during a court-ordered visitation. He threatened to kill the child and then commit suicide.

Their bodies were found Jan. 31 inside a vehicle in the 26000 block of Old Toll Road. Homicide detectives are investigating the apparent murder-suicide.