Simon Gonzales

Name

Simon Gonzales

Background

Simon J. Gonzales had suicidal tendencies, and his estranged wife contacted police hours before a shootout because she was concerned about the safety of her daughters. Gonzales and his wife began having marital problems earlier this year.

A court order dated May 21 required Gonzales to stay 100 feet away from their home. Court records listed the reason as domestic abuse. The two separated and his wife filed for divorce Dec. 29.

The offence

Colorado police said Gonzales shot his three daughters before driving to the police station and opening fire. The preliminary investigation concluded that none of the officers' bullets struck the children.

Very early on June 23, 1999 (about 3:25 a.m.), a man later identified as Simon Gonzales pulled his white pickup into the parking lot of the Castle Rock police station, got out, and started firing into the one-story brick building. The shots shattered a window and narrowly missed an officer on duty inside. Officers inside returned fire and fatally wounded Gonzales.

Police later discovered the bodies of the three girls inside the cab of the pickup. The children were identified as Rebecca, 10, Katheryn, 8, and Leslie, 7.

Investigation

Michael Knight, a spokesman for the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, said the initial investigation concluded Gonzales shot the girls before driving to the police station.

Knight said, “It appears the children were dead when they arrived at the police department.” Knight also said, “The preliminary investigation does not indicate any of the officers' bullets struck the children.”

Knight stated that police suspected it was a suicidal Gonzales who fired the shots that killed the three girls.

The Douglas County coroner examined the girls' bodies. The wounds appeared to be from a 9mm handgun and did not match any of the weapons used by officers who shot and killed Gonzales. Knight said the girls did not appear to suffer any defensive wounds. The coroner was unable to determine the exact time of death but narrowed it to between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. on Wednesday, shortly before their father drove up to the police station and opened fire. Knight stated, “We believe they were killed inside the truck,” and added that police suspect it was a suicidal Gonzales who fired the shots that killed the three girls.

Knight said the bullets that killed the girls passed through the cab of the truck, and no bullets were found on the ground or under the truck. He said that indicated the girls were killed before Gonzales drove up to the station.

Arrest

Officers fatally wounded Gonzales during the shootout after he opened fire at the police station.

Trial

No trial information was included in the provided material.

Sentencing

No sentencing information was included in the provided material.

Appeals

No appeals information was included in the provided material.

Outcome

Simon J. Gonzales was killed in a shootout with officers after he drove to Castle Rock police station and opened fire. Officers discovered the bodies of Rebecca, 10, Katheryn, 8, and Leslie, 7, inside the bullet-riddled pickup.

Aftermath

Authorities said Gonzales' wife had contacted police twice in the hours leading up to the shootout, concerned about the girls' safety. She mentioned that the girls were with Gonzales and that he had suicidal tendencies.

Police Chief Tony Lane said Gonzales had suicidal tendencies, and he would not elaborate.

Mike Carter, a neighbor and family friend, said Gonzales and his wife had marital problems earlier in the year. Carter said Gonzales had picked up the children to take them to an amusement park, and the wife was afraid he would not return them, according to an account the wife gave to Carter's wife.

Timeline

• May 21 — A court order required Gonzales to stay 100 feet away from the family home; the reason was listed as domestic abuse.
• June 2 4 , 1999 — Gonzales was identified in connection with the events described.
• Dec. 29 — Gonzales and his wife separated, and she filed for divorce.
• About 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday — Bill Palsulich, a federally licensed gun dealer in Lakewood, sold a 9mm Taurus pistol and 30 rounds of ammunition to Gonzales for $375 while the three girls played in his front yard.
• About 3:25 a.m. on June 23, 1999 — Gonzales arrived at Castle Rock police station in a white pickup, got out, and fired into the one-story brick building; officers returned fire and fatally wounded him.
• Between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. on Wednesday — The coroner narrowed the girls' time of death to this range.

Other details

Bill Palsulich of Lakewood advertised three pistols in a newspaper ad and conducted a background check with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After an initial rejection, Gonzales was cleared and the gun changed hands.

Police said around 6 p.m. on the day of the murders, Gonzales called a gun dealer who had advertised a handgun in a newspaper for $375. Authorities said the background check took about one hour.

The FBI background check failed to pick up a temporary restraining order issued against Gonzales. The district attorney's office said the information did not turn up in the required background check because Gonzales had not been served with the documentation.

Knight said, “He followed all the expectations of his license,” referring to Palsulich.

Palsulich described Gonzales as a “quiet, pleasant” young man and said Gonzales was “not edgy or distraught.” Palsulich said Gonzales wanted the 9mm Taurus pistol so he and his son could go target shooting together.

Ellen Walls, 25, of Killeen, Texas, said, “Four shots, real clear, four shots. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang,” describing what the shots sounded like. Justin Walls, 22, said he looked outside and he saw an officer kneel down and order the gunman to drop his weapon. Justin Walls said, “At that point, the guy started shooting, and the officer fired at him,” when describing what happened after the order was given.