Frank “Francisco” Contreras photo via Avenal Police Department.
Law enforcement officials hunted a double killer Wednesday who allegedly gunned down his son’s mother as the boy tried to protect his mom.
He also allegedly killed the Kings County boyfriend of his son’s mother, and the suspect is believed to be hiding out in the Southland, police said Wednesday in asking the public for help in finding him.
Maria Cobral, 37, and Ignacio Contreras, 43, were killed about 6 a.m. Nov. 14 at a residence in the community of Avenal, Avenal police Chief Russell Stivers said at a news conference at Los Angeles police headquarters Wednesday afternoon.
Frank “Francisco” Contreras, 43, went to the residence and shot and killed the man — they have the same last name but were not related — on the front porch, Stivers alleged.
Contreras then entered the residence and allegedly shot the woman in the head in front of their 7-year-old son as the boy was trying to protect his mother.
“He pushed his son aside, and shot his mother in the head,” Stivers alleged.
The boy, whose name was withheld, was placed in protective custody in Kings County.
“This is the child’s first Christmas without his mother,” Stivers said. “The first is the worst.”
The suspect has family in Sun Valley, and is believed to be living in the Southland, Stivers said. Investigators have contacted his family, and they are cooperating, he said.
“Contreras may have access to several vehicles and weapons, and should be considered armed and dangerous,” Stivers said.
Contreras is Hispanic, 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 145 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and a goatee. He has tattoos of “Francisco,” “Manuel” and tribal barbed wire on the upper part of his right arm.
–City News Service
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