On January 2, 2016, Misak Minasyan, aged 60, was tragically killed in a shooting incident at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, California. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when Misak and his wife, Hripsime Minasyan, were visiting a grave site. The couple was accompanied by an elderly woman who was using a walker. As they were paying their respects, Karapet Kalajian, a 71-year-old Ontario resident, approached them and opened fire, killing both Misak and Hripsime.
Kalajian then turned the gun on himself, committing suicide at the scene.
The investigation revealed that Kalajian had a troubled history following the death of his wife, who was buried at the same cemetery. The anniversary of her death was the day after the shooting, January 3. Kalajian had become estranged from his wife's family, including the Minasyans, for over a year. The police determined that Kalajian's inability to cope with his wife's death and his subsequent estrangement from the family were significant factors leading to the tragic event.
Authorities quickly identified the victims and the shooter. Misak Minasyan and his wife Hripsime were both residents of North Hollywood. The Ontario Police Department conducted a thorough investigation, confirming that the shooting was a murder-suicide. Witnesses at the cemetery reported seeing Kalajian sitting in his car before he approached the Minasyans and opened fire. The elderly woman who was with the Minasyans was unharmed during the incident.
The case was classified as a murder-suicide, and no further arrests or suspects were involved. The Ontario Police Department urged anyone with additional information to come forward, but the investigation concluded with the determination that Kalajian acted alone. The tragic event left the community in shock, highlighting the devastating impact of unresolved grief and familial estrangement.
