Sara Fatemeh Zarei, a 22-year-old Iranian-American woman, was tragically killed on December 25, 2011, in Grapevine, Texas. The incident occurred during a family gathering on Christmas morning at the Lincoln Vineyards Apartments. Sara was among seven family members who were fatally shot by her uncle, Aziz Yazdanpanah, who was dressed as Santa Claus at the time of the attack.
The victims included Sara's mother, Zohreh Rahmaty, 58; her father, Mohamad Hossein Zarei, 59; her aunt, Fatemeh Rahmati, 55; her cousins, Ali Yazdanpanah, 14, and Nona Yazdanpanah, 19; and her uncle, Aziz Yazdanpanah, 56.
The massacre unfolded shortly after the family had finished unwrapping presents. Sara had texted her boyfriend upon arriving at the apartment, mentioning that her uncle was dressed as Santa Claus. Within minutes, Aziz Yazdanpanah opened fire, killing six family members before turning the gun on himself. The Grapevine Police Department arrived at the scene three minutes after Yazdanpanah made a 911 call to report the murders. The police found the bodies among scattered wrapping paper and opened gifts.
Aziz Yazdanpanah, the perpetrator, was a 56-year-old Iranian-born man who had been struggling financially and was reportedly jealous of his estranged wife's success. He had been unemployed for over a decade and was upset that his wife, Fatemeh Rahmati, was thriving without him. Yazdanpanah's actions were premeditated, as he brought two handguns to the apartment: a 9mm Smith & Wesson and a .40 caliber Glock 23. The victims were shot multiple times, with some attempting to shield themselves from the bullets.
The investigation revealed that Yazdanpanah had a history of controlling behavior and had been financially supported by his wife's brother, Ali Rahmaty. Despite his struggles, family members did not anticipate that he would resort to violence. The tragic event left the community in shock, and a candlelight vigil was held to honor the victims. The case was classified as a murder-suicide, and no further arrests or litigations were reported.
