The Covina Christmas Eve Massacre

On the evening of December 24, 2008, Christmas Eve, in Los Angeles, California, members of the Ortega family were enjoying their annual Christmas Eve party. As the party was winding down for the night, there was a knock on the door from a man dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, who viciously gunned down partygoers before burning down the home with a makeshift flamethrower. The man dressed as Santa would later be identified as 45 year old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo. What led Bruce to commit such a horrific murder on what is supposed to be one of the most joyous nights of the year?

Today's Sources Include:

County of Los Angeles Autopsy Report: Bruce J. Pardo

Pipebomb Explodes in Car Rented by Santa Shooting Suspect Bruce Pardo
NYDailyNews.com

Police: Santa shooter planned to fly to Canada after killings but badly burned himself
NYDailyNews.com

Santa Bruce Jeffrey Pardo shoots nine dead and torches in-laws' home - Chris Ayres
TimesOnline.co.uk

Santa gunman Bruce Jeffrey Pardo had Longer Hit List
NYDailyNews.com

More Grim Details of Christmas Eve Shooting Rampage in Covina Emerge - Hector Becerra and Tami Abdullah
https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-santa-shooting31-2008dec31-story.html

Covina Christmas shooting survivor Katrina Yuzefpolsky hopes walkout leaves lasting impact - Anabel Munoz
https://abc7.com/la-salle-high-school-katrina-yuzefpolsky-parkland-florida-shooting-national-student-walkout/3217340/

Not just Surviving, but Thriving - Paul Sweeney
https://now.tufts.edu/2023/04/20/not-just-surviving-thriving

Bruce Pardo’s mother copes with aftermath of Covina shooting - Tami Abdullah
LAtimes.com

Shooter, ex-wife had bitter feud 
The Associated Press

Santa-suit killer lost job, wife before attack
The Associated Press

Support the show

Like our podcast? Be sure to follow us on Facebook at The Ghosty Girls Podcast!

Love our podcast? Check out our Merch: https://theghostygirls-shop.fourthwall.com/

You can also leave us some love on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhostyGirlsPodcast

Have feedback or an idea for a show? E-mail us at:
[email protected]