A Redlands man has been charged in the slaying of a Westminster woman and the injury of her boyfriend, authorities said Tuesday.
Pasqual
Raul Loera, 32, was charged with one felony count of special
circumstances murder and one felony count of attempted murder, the
Orange County district attorney’s office said. The special
circumstances are a result of an alleged murder committed during a
robbery and burglary.
Julie Palasko, 48, was fatally shot Sunday
and her boyfriend, Dennis Koire, 49, was seriously wounded by the
gunfire after an intruder came to their home to inquire about buying
their vehicle, which was advertised for sale, according to the district attorney.
Loera
allegedly stole the vehicle and left for Las Vegas, where he attracted
the attention of security personnel at a casino Sunday, the district
attorney said. Fleeing security personnel, Loera left the scene and
crashed the car in a ditch.
Las Vegas police responded and
discovered that the vehicle was registered to the Westminster address
where the couple lived, authorities said. Westminster police were
alerted and responded to the home, where they discovered the victims.
Koire was in critical condition Tuesday, the district attorney said.
Loera is being held in Las Vegas pending his extradition to Orange County.
— Robert J. Lopez