Panorama City man kills wife in front of 7 children

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Saturday, August 2, 2014
Los Angeles police and firefighters respond to the scene of an apparent murder-suicide in 8700 block of Tobias Street in Panorama City Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.
Los Angeles police and firefighters respond to the scene of an apparent murder-suicide in 8700 block of Tobias Street in Panorama City Friday, Aug. 1, 2014.
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PANORAMA CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- A 40-year-old man shot and killed his common-law wife in front of their seven children in Panorama City Friday night. The suspect then shot and killed himself.

Investigators say a 21-year-old likely stopped the shooter from killing more people.

The incident occurred inside an apartment in the 8700 block of Tobias Street just before 10 p.m. Seven children, ages 1-19, were home at the time.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Paul Vernon said the suspect had at least five beers and then got into a fight with his wife.

The boyfriend of one of the daughter's was home when the first three rounds were fired. The boyfriend managed to wrestle the shooter out of the apartment. That's when the suspect turned the gun on himself.

None of the children nor the boyfriend were injured.

The investigation is ongoing. The identity of both the victim and the suspect have not been released.

CNS contributed to this report.