Porter Ranch Triple Homicide No Random Killing, Police Say

PORTER RANCH, CA —Three men shot to death inside an upscale Porter Ranch gated community Monday knew their killer or killers, police announced.

Authorities Tuesday identified the three men as Gary Davidson, 34, a renter who lived at the home in the 20300 block of Via Galileo; Benny Lopez, 45, of Anaheim; and Jesus Perez, 34, of Perris. Police responding to a disturbance in the 20300 block of Via Galileo at about 3:50 p.m. Monday, found the three men dead at the scene. Contrary to initial speculation, the shootings were not part of a burglary gone bad, Los Angeles Police Department Capt. William Hayes told reporters at an afternoon news conference.

Davidson allowed the killers into his home, detectives said Tuesday.

The triple homicide was "not a random act and the suspect or suspects were likely known to the victims," Hayes said.

Hayes said detectives believe they know what precipitated the killings, but details were being withheld because of the ongoing investigation.

"... I can't tell you whether items are missing from the home," he said. "I know there was a theory (in the media) ... that it was a burglary and that this was the result of a failed burglary attempt. It's clearly not that. Mr. Davidson allowed these individuals into the house and the shooting occurred in there."

According to Hayes, a woman who lives at the home was in an upstairs bedroom and heard what she believed to be a gunshot. The woman tried to somehow contact Davidson, but when she was unable to reach him, she called police, Hayes said.

The killer or killers "were in there for some period of time," Hayes said, adding that there did appear to be some type of a struggle.

Video from the scene Monday showed shattered glass by a door leading to a backyard and a person sitting in front of the home wrapped in a blanket and appearing visibly distressed.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.