Mayor Daniel Crespo of Bell Gardens in California was allegedly shot and killed by his wife, Levette, during a domestic dispute
, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The incident took place at 2:30 p.m. in the couple's condominium not far from city hall. The mayor died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital at age 45. His wife, 43, was questioned by law enforcement authorities and released. The couple's 19-year-old son, Daniel, who tried to intervene during the altercation was treated for facial injuries. No arrest has been made.
Neighbors said the family had been long time residents. "It's a horrible day," said Ana Maria, who lives in the development. "He was such a nice man and was so important to the city."
The mayor, who was a Democrat, was mourned by local lawmakers. State Sen. Ricardo Lara and state Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia issued a joint statement lauding Crespo as "a respected public servant who dedicated his life to protecting and helping others in southeast Los Angeles and throughout the region," the Times reported.
Crespo, who was widely respected in the Latino community, was raised in a Brooklyn, N.Y. housing project. He married Levette in 1986
when they were in their teens. After he was elected to the city council in 2001 he continued to work as a probation officer, the Times reported.
Bell Gardens is part of Los Angeles County and has a population of about 42,000.
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