This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Salon Meritage Killings: Case against accused gunman moves closer to trial
Police officers stand with Scott Evans Dekraai near the Salon Meritage in Seal Beach on Oct. 12, 2011. Dekraai is charged with eight counts of murder, the worst mass killing in Orange County history.
(
Reed Saxon/AP
)
The new logo in front of the door at the newly redesigned Salon Meritage which is scheduled to open Tuesday in Seal Beach, Calif., Thursday. November 15, 2012. The salon closed after a deadly shooting in October of 2011 in which a gunman opened fire leaving eight dead.
(
Anibal Ortiz / KPCC
)
Investigators stand near the site where eight people were killed and one was wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011.
(
Chris Carlson/AP
)
Listen
1:01
Salon Meritage Killings: Case against accused gunman moves closer to trial
More than two years have passed since the worst mass killing in Orange County history. The man charged in the killings is scheduled to appear Friday for a pre-trial hearing in the case.
Scott Dekraai is charged with killing eight people, seven inside the Salon Meritage beauty parlor in Seal Beach on October 12, 2011. His trial has been set to begin in November, but last August an Orange County Superior Court judge rescheduled it to March 24th. The victims' families have said they aren't happy about the delay.
Christy Wilson was one of the salon employees killed. Her husband, Paul, has called the delay "unfair" to families members seeking justice for their loved ones.
Dekraai's defense attorneys have offered a guilty plea in exchange for multiple life sentences - which the Orange County District Attorney's office has rejected. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Dekraai is accused of walking into the salon and shooting his ex-wife, Michelle Fournier, before opening fire on others inside the business and a man in the parking lot outside. Dekraai and Fournier were involved in a custody dispute at the time.
The eight people killed were Fournier, 48; the salon's owner, Randy Lee Fannin, 62; Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54; Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65; Laura Lee Elody, 46; Christy Lynn Wilson, 47; Michele Daschbach Fast, 47; and David Caouette, 64, who was shot in his Range Rover outside the salon. 73-year-old Hattie Stretz was also shot, but survived her wounds.
Within minutes of the shootings, Seal Beach police arrested Dekraai a few blocks away from the salon.
Sponsored message
Dekraai and Fournier had been in a Santa Ana courtroom the day before the shootings for a hearing involving custody of their 8-year-old son, Dominic. Dekraai had been seeking sole custody of his son, but a court-ordered report recommended against it.
Dekraai remains jailed without bail.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
