The Santa Suit Slaughter

The atrocity that occurred on December 24, 2008, has gone down as one of the most eerie Christmas mass killings in American history. Bruce Jeffery Pardo went on a killing spree whilst dressed in a Santa suit. Unfortunately, nine people lost their lives, either from gunshot wounds or by being caught inside the fire that the assailant started. Given that his divorce from his ex-wife was finalized one week prior, police concluded that marital issues were the motivating factor behind the mass killing.

Throughout his adult life, Pardo struggled. He was striving to keep his family happy, particularly his wife Sylvia Pardo, after losing his job as an electrical engineer in the San Fernando Valley of California. Pardo, however, had no history of violent behavior toward his wife or anyone at his workplace. He was extremely indolent and refused to open a joint bank account with her, further alienating their marriage and relationship. He also refused to pay spousal support for her other three children. He was required to provide Sylvia $10,000 as part of the divorce settlement, which aggravated Pardo as his ex-wife's family was wealthy enough to support her. With this in mind, authorities would draw the conclusion that his rampage was due to envy for his ex-wife and her family.

At about 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Pardo arrived at his ex-wife's familys' home dressed as Santa Claus. There were twenty-five people celebrating. He carried an air compressor with gasoline and at least four firearms. When the door was opened, he began firing at everyone, even his 8-year-old niece who came to greet him. Nine individuals died as a result of the fire or gunshot wounds after he doused the house in gasoline and set it on fire post shooting. Due to the severity of the fire, dental and medical data were used to identify the victims. He got third-degree burns as a result of accidentally igniting his Santa suit because of the fire. Pardo intended to leave for Canada, but he was concerned whether or not he was walking into a police trap. Bur before he could act, officials discovered Pardo dead at his brother's house from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

This tragedy continues to be referenced in the media fourteen years later, particularly around Christmas. A song by Poly Styrene titled "Black Christmas" from 2010 makes reference to the atrocity in its lyrics. The massacre inspired the 2012 movie "Silent Night", with its plot revolving around a man setting fire to his ex-house wife's while wearing a Santa suit and a homemade flamethrower.

By Iman Chaudhry 6F14