A man has been accused of decapitating his parents and their dog before running away in a stolen golf cart.
Officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported that they responded to a call at around 7.30AM on Tuesday (July 9).
They arrived at a mobile home park in San Juan Capistrano, California, and found two elderly victims identified as 79-year-old Antionette Gerdvil and 77-year-old Ronald Gerdvi.
According to Too Fab, the victims were discovered "decapitated and mutilated" in what authorities described as a "horrific scene." Their dog was also decapitated.
It is reported the Gerdvils were tragically murdered by their 41-year-old son, Joseph Gerdvil, who lived with the couple in the mobile home and was allegedly spotted covered in blood nearby.
Police officers said Joseph, who was covered in blood, fled the scene after robbing a maintenance worker's golf cart and taking off in it. An unidentified deputy tracked him near a bike trail, where he was shot several times at approximately 7:50AM.
"Sheriff’s personnel rendered aid to the suspect until the Orange County Fire Authority arrived and was able to transport him to a local hospital, where he is currently in stable condition," the department said in a statement received by KTLA.
The sheriff's office revealed that the 41-year-old will be booked on two counts of homicide after he is medically cleared. He will likely face additional charges and enhancements.
A motive for the dreadful beheadings remains unclear, and authorities did not explain what prompted the deputy to shoot Joseph.
However, a neighbor named David Desmond claimed that he saw the suspect fighting with his father the day before the murders.
He told Fox 11 that the younger Gerdvil was "in his face" and "looked angry" while confronting his dad. Another neighbor, Bob Demario, alleged that Joseph "had a drug issue." adding: "That's why he lived there and they kept him there."
Neighbour Victoria Alford added the victims were a "very sweet couple," and said: "And at that age to tragically be murdered by your son is just tragic, period."
The deputy involved in the shooting will be investigated as part of a protocol by the OC District Attorney's Office. Furthermore, footage of the incident will be released pending resolution.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this tragic event," OC Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer Matt Parrish said. "We're asking anybody with any information to please contact the sheriff's department's non-emergency line at 714-647-7000."
You can reach out anonymously to Orange County's Crime Stoppers at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating event.
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