Scott Dekraai

Mass Murderer

Scott Dekraai and the 2011 Seal Beach Salon Massacre

Overview

On October 12, 2011, Scott Evans Dekraai opened fire at Salon Meritage, 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, California, killing eight people and wounding one in what remains the deadliest mass killing in Orange County history. He was arrested minutes later and ultimately received eight life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The Crime

At approximately 1:21 p.m. PDT, Dekraai entered Salon Meritage armed with three handguns—a 9mm Springfield semi-automatic pistol, a .45-caliber Heckler & Koch semi-automatic pistol, and a .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver—and began shooting. The attack lasted about two minutes. Six people died at the scene; three were transported to a hospital, where two later died. One victim survived. Witnesses and investigators reported that Dekraai reloaded during the rampage. He then exited the salon and shot a man seated in a parked vehicle outside before driving away. Police stopped and arrested him about a half-mile from the scene; he was wearing body armor at the time.

Motive and Background

Dekraai, a former tugboat operator, had been in a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Michelle Fournier, who worked at the salon and was among those killed. A custody hearing had occurred the day before the shooting. Court filings also noted a 2007 tugboat accident that left him with serious leg injuries and a subsequent PTSD diagnosis. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (8)

Victoria Buzzo 54 yr old Female

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2011 Seal Beach shooting

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