Sylmar man in custody for murder of wife

SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 59-year-old man was taken into custody for the shooting death of his wife inside their Sylmar home Monday night.

Authorities say the couple's son, a man in his 20s, called 911 just before 9 p.m. after hearing shots fired inside the home in the 14000 block of Herron Street.

Officers responded and found 45-year-old Maria Morales in the living room with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect was found lying on a mattress in a bedroom, according to police.

"It seemed he was waiting for police, and gave up without a struggle," said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon in a statement.

A .45-caliber pistol was found on a table in the bedroom with a loaded magazine and a handwritten note in Spanish next to it. Police did not say what the note said.

No one else was injured in the incident. Vernon said it could have been much worse. At least one bullet went through the home and into a neighboring home, narrowly missing a resident.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, admitted that he had been drinking heavily that night.

The family had lived in the home for at least 25 years, according to police.