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Father suspected of killing daughter’s ex-boyfriend in Palmdale

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Jose G. Mendoza [Image via LASD]
PALMDALE – A 29-year-old man was shot to death Monday afternoon in Palmdale, allegedly by the father of a former girlfriend, authorities announced.

The incident was reported around 4:47 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, on the 37000 block of Sierra Highway, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Palmdale Sheriff’s Station deputies responded… regarding a domestic violence call… Upon arriving, deputies discovered the victim, identified as Giovannie Gutierrez of Palmdale, lying unresponsive in the middle of the street suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Victim Gutierrez was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his gunshot wound injuries,” the news release states.

Gutierrez had been in his white Chrysler 300M sedan, chasing his former girlfriend who was driving a gray compact car. The cars driven by Gutierrez and his former girlfriend collided at least once during the chase, authorities said. The cars both stopped in the middle of Sierra Highway north of Avenue S where Gutierrez attempted to force entry into his ex-girlfriend’s car as she was seeking help from family members who had called 911, authorities said.

As Gutierrez was attempting to gain entry into the woman’s car, a white Ford Ranger pickup truck arrived at the scene. Jose G. Mendoza, the father of Gutierrez’s former girlfriend, was a passenger in the pickup truck. Mendoza got out of the pickup truck, approached Gutierrez and shot him once in the head, authorities said.

Mendoza is described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The Littlerock resident is believed to be armed with a semi-automatic handgun and should not be approached.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Mendoza or the shooting should call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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77 comments for "Father suspected of killing daughter’s ex-boyfriend in Palmdale"

  1. Can someone answer this? Recently, I was verbally assaulted by two drunk and belligerent neighbors. One man and a woman in their early 40’s. They were both very aggressive, the woman stepping-up, right into my face. I would’ve loved to knock her on her arse, but, I know, due to my age that I probably wouldn’t be able to physically defend myself. What if, I had a weapon on me and this woman attempted to attack me and I had decided to use that weapon on her…? Would I be justified, in doing so?
    I live in Palmdale and no longer feel safe being outside in my own front yard!! People are out of control!!
    I believe Mr. Mendoza did the only thing he could do at that time! It’s not probable that, at his age he could physically protect himself or his daughter from the enraged younger man!!
    If, Mr. Mendoza had been legally wearing a badge, there would be no questions regarding his actions!!

    • YOU SHOULD TAKE A CLASS AND GET PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION ON WEAPONS, SAFETY AND THE LAW…

      OTHERWISE YOU RISK A LOT OF SEVERE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITIES…

      ***

    • I agree with you. The father was protecting his daughter. Yes, some of us cannot fight back; also keep in mind he was armed maybe, so why fight? He would have killed him. I say, let him go and let God. What, you want to arrest him? I’m sure he meant no harm to anyone. Maybe he could have shot to stop him, not kill. He was taking no chances. Yes, he could have called authorities. I wish it was that simple..no telling what might have happened….he walked away from it all. Send him a letter of forgiveness, please. What would you had done if you had to something to protect her? God, we need you, right now!

      • Were you there at the time of the shooting?

        Who’s to say what really happened?

        fleeing the scene is what people who feel guilty do.

    • You need to setup cameras to record the altercations so you have proof that you were harassed/assaulted. With proofs, you would have a stronger claim of self defense.

  2. trust and believe that he got what he had coming. the dude just would not leave her alone not to mention the violent and very controlling nature that this Boy had. I as a father would have done no less the only thing I would of done differentis stayed on scene he was completely just in his actions self defense extends to not just yourself but to your family and friends as well. if you witness somebody harassing or attempting to harm someone and you take action then you are and should be found justified and I’m sure this was not the first time that this has happened nor did this father just decide to do this for a man better yet for a father to do this in the middle of the day this father had enough of this guys shit knew what the boy was capable of and feared for his daughter life. we as fathers know that we will die defending and protecting are babies he was wrong for leaving he was not wrong for what he did.but our justice system is not very reliable as far as doing the right thing……we will have to wait aand see

  3. Fleeing the scene was a big f-ing mistake. It could have been so much simpler, but now, here we go with a manhunt, legal process, and whatever the random result is from those proceedings.
    Once the law catches up with Frontier justice, the outcome is not as easy or simple as it seems it could have been.

    • According to television news reports, he claims to have gone right to the local station (I presume Palmdale) to turn himself in after the incident, but there was nobody in the lobby for a while, so he simply left.

      Dunno if he’s being honest about that, but I can say that I can believe it, having gone to that station more than once to find the lobby area empty for extended lengths of time.

      • whatever.
        claim is one thing
        proof… absolutely necessary in a court of law
        maybe review the lobby camera footage?
        if apprehended, this guy will be incarcerated, subject to bail (or denied bail), and treated according to the actions he carried out, not on sympathy or rationalized vengeance.
        FWIW we still don’t know why the girl and guy were at odds…could be romantic, or something else…she took something…who knows?

        • Lobby footage will prove or disprove the claim. Not going to help much when he is asked why he left. Having gone there to turn himself in “I changed my mind because of poor service” isn’t gonna cut it.

          This is a very complicated case The only witnesses seem to be the daughter and the guy who drove him to the scene, and if they have coherent matching accounts that dad got out, told the ex to leave her alone, and then shot the guy AFTER he continued to pose a significant threat to either the father or the daughter then as long as there are no contradictions or other evidence he should be fine.

          If “Mendoza got out of the pickup truck, approached Gutierrez and shot him once in the head, authorities said.” is accurate and comes from the first statements made by the daughter that’s a problem. Especially if he shot dude in the back of the head, because that suggests that he had no considerations about protecting his daughter any way other than just getting the drop and killing dude. That may be morally understandable, but it isn’t going to work legally.

          • “I changed my mind because of poor service” LOL… Cute. Would that it could be used, sometimes… Obviously, you’re right on that, of course.

            If you read the actual release from the Sheriffs Office, it states that there were witnesses (apparently not related to the parties involved) that verify the violence of the boyfriend leading up to the father’s arrival. I did not see anything to verify the specific action of the boyfriend attempting to choke her, but the witnesses’ verification of the vehicular attacks show an intent that falls in line with such.

            Obviously, we’re speculating without a lot of evidence to work with, here. Thus far, though, appearances seem to match up with the story given.

            We’ll have to see.

          • well…
            murder in the first degree is a serious charge.
            he knew of a confrontation between his daughter and her X
            he got a weapon inhand and got a ride
            he confronted the X
            he shot the X to death

            That kind of planning and preparation are understandable, but our system does not tolerate vigilantism. The only reason that such acts COULD be tolerable is if the attack occurs inside your own home. Other than that, it is not very clear at all…very risky to personal freedom and financial health.

            where in that story is there a self-defense against attack from X?

            police have often been accused of using overwhelming force that results in death instead of controlling the perp. Mr Mendoza may have committed a similar error.

            When/if we eventually hear from/find Mr Mendoza, his perception of measured force and personal threat and the testimony will determine the jury’s decision.

          • As I said, this is where Mendoza, his daughter, and the guy who gave him the ride have to have their stories very straight. If…

            1) He was carrying the gun because he happened to have it, not because he went and got it.
            2) He went “to help his daughter when she called,” which is a reasonable thing to do and does not necessarily include shooting anyone.
            3) He arrived at the scene empty handed and attempted to intervene without making any threats.
            4) The ex was not deterred and continued to threaten the daughter and/or Mendoza with death or great bodily injury.
            5) There was no way to remove himself and his daughter from the threatening situation without resorting to lethal force, in the opinion of reasonable people.

            That’s the makings of a defense, but it hinges on the witnesses supporting that story consistently and being credible, and also how much the prosecutor wants to rely on the ‘reasonable people’ part. It also has a gigantic flaw if there are people who come forward that have witnessed Mendoza making threats before, which there may very well be.

          • EARLIER THIS MONTH….A FATHER & DAUGHTER WHERE SLAUGHTERED IN KOHLS PARKING LOT.
            THE CONSTITUTION GAURANTIES OUR RIGHT TO PROTECT OURSELVES , FAMILY, PROPERTY & COUNTRY.
            HE EXCERSISED THAT GOD GIVEN RIGHT !
            CRIMINALS ROAM FREE WHILE POLITICIANS SIT AND MAKE LAWS AGIANST ITS CITIZENS………..
            HOW ON EARTH COULD ANYONE SEE DIFFERENT……..OH YEAH !!!!
            THE ONES WHO HATE OUR COUNTRY…..THE WOKE ONES……HOW
            PATHETIC ………

          • OK, CAPS LOCK.
            WHERE IN THE FING CONSTITUTION DOES IT SAY:
            “THE CONSTITUTION GAURANTIES OUR RIGHT TO PROTECT OURSELVES , FAMILY, PROPERTY & COUNTRY.
            HE EXCERSISED THAT GOD GIVEN RIGHT !”

            YOU ARE CONFUSED AND ANGRY. THOSE ARE THE EXACT CONDITIONS THAT LEAD TO HORRIBLE LIFE CHANGING MISTAKES.

            IN THE MOMENT, THERE IS LITERALLY NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE APPEARANCE OF THIS FATHER SHOOTING XBOYFRIEND AND THE ‘SLAUGHTER’ IN KOHL’S PARKING LOT.

            IN THE MOMENT THE APPEARANCE IS THE SAME, MOTIVES UNKNOWN AND UNKNOWABLE, AND THE RESULTS ARE THE SAME FOR THE LEAST ARMED, AS METERED OUT BY THOSE MOST ADEPT WITH ARMORY.

            YOU ARE ADVOCATING FOR VIGILANTE JUSTICE IN A WAY THAT ASSURES MAYHEM REIGNS WHILE THOSE WHO ARE HEAVILY ARMED, MOST SNEAKY, MOST WILLING TO COMMIT VIOLENCE WILL METER OUT WHATEVER THEY WANT ON WHOMEVER THEY WANT. THE CRIMS WIN WHEN YOU OPEN THAT DOOR..

            IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO HATES OUR COUNTRY, HATES LAW AND ORDER, IT IS YOU.

    • It’s never good to kill anyone however that was his daughter and he most likely felt like his daughter’s life was in jeopardy and shot him! I wasn’t there to know if it could have been handled any other way but I would have done the same thing for my child also! I feel like a man that shot him should lawyer up and turn himself in and face the consequences of his actions. I wouldn’t run from the law after doing that. I would do whatever it took in my heart to protect my child

  4. Unbelievable, most significant incidents up in here are straight out of Compton or Mexico.

    However pops did good!

  5. Area has become a sh** hole
    Most of us live in the mountains of Acton and Agua Dulce and won’t go to Palmdale or Lancaster because it’s become a 3rd world violent city like Compton and South La.

    • By “most of us” I assume you mean racist white folk?

      For the record, I’m white, I stay in Palmdale, and I think things have gotten A LOT better here than they were when I was a kid. And I don’t miss the “racist purity” that was present back then at all.

    • I used to live in Acton. My friend’s unarmed husband was shot and killed point blank just for doing his job in Acton. My neighbors killed my dogs. My kids and I were threatened at gunpoint while riding our horses through the foothills by a crazy neighbor. I had peeping toms. My kids were bullied at school. After 3 years we moved to West Palmdale and our life improved substantially from when we were in Acton. I would never move back to that hellhole.

    • For a small town Acton has more than its share of Karen’s.

      If you’re really country you’ll drive at least 10mph under the posted speed limit. And if you’re driving over 15mph on our dirt roads you should move back to the city.

  6. Who or what father wouldn’t defend his kids no matter what coast he only defended his child and I do agree

  7. We need to support this father and let the country hear our words. If he gets a jury trial then the jury has a chance of setting him free. We need to stick together people if we do then we can set him free we need to start a go fund me on his behalf for legal representation

      • Mr. Mendoza, por favor.Turn Yourself in.They may not have Mercy for You if THEY find you.I understand from the news you went to turn yourself in but then left.Who knows what that monster would have done to your baby girl if you didn’t show up.My Dad would have done the same…In the heat of the moment you reacted and unfortunately you reacted and He was fatally hit…I’m new to the Palmdale area…Good Luck.

        • Your so right, he hit her car and was trying to kill her. What a great father to give his own life for hers.

    • Who or what father wouldn’t defend his kids no matter what coast he only defended his child and I do agree

    • YOU ARE VERY CORRECT !!!! SOMEONE IN HIS FAMILY SHOULD START THE GOFUND !!!! SO THE $ IS USED AS INTENDED. BUT HOW WOULD THIS ( SUPPORTIVE PARTICIPANTS) MATERIALISE ?

      • Not sure, but to protect my daughter from X who was intentionally trying to kill her!!!! Would of done anything to protect her.

  8. We need to support this father and let the country hear our words. If he gets a jury trial then the jury has a chance of setting him free. We need to stick together people if we do then we can set him free

  10. This father is a hero in my book. He was defending his daughter & I don’t know any father that wouldn’t do the same. He should turn himself in and then he should be set free. I will completely support the release of this hero of a father.

  11. It is unfortunate that this man was forced to defend the life of his daughter by giving up his life as he knew it, but who here would not do the same? I know he is sad that it came to this, but I have to think if he had to do it all over again he would, especially if it was a choice between his daughter’s life or his. The man that died had no business going at his daughter hitting her car (that alone is at minimum an attempt to harm another let alone anyone that could have been in the way) I feel for the parents of the young man, however, life is about choice and he chose to attack the wrong young lady because as we see, she is not alone she has her dad to stand up for her and protect her even if it means possibly losing his freedom. I would have done the same.

    • Exactly he only did the right thing by protecting his daughter. Her ex boyfriend would have probably killed her. She’s lucky her dad got there to protect her prayers for the father and daughter

    • Yes the father was trying to keep his daughter safe. Risking his own life. The man was trying to kill her.

  13. Sounds like the ex boyfriend had dangerous intentions for Mr. Mendoza’s daughter.

    Let Mr. Mendoza turn himself in and set him free.

    If he didn’t intervene his daughter may have been the victim.

  14. I agree with everyone here, he was protecting his daughter. Hopefully he turns himself in so he can defend himself in court.

  15. I’m at the end of the day he did a good job. God know how ex boy friend was acting out but he got what he deserves he would of come back and harm the family.People these days are crazy.

  17. BASED ON WHAT IS DESCRIBED HERE…

    THIS MAN WAS DEFENDING HIS DAUGHTER FROM AN ACTIVE ATTACKER…

    IF THE DEAD GUY ACTED CRAZY, THREATENING IN THE PAST THE DA PROBABOY WON’T CHARGE HIM…

    ALL JURY TRIALS ARE FIFTY-FIFTY CHANCES REGARDLESS OF THE GUILT, INNOCENCE OR FACTS…

    THIS MATTER ALSO HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF ONE OR MORE JURORS HANGING IT UP FOR HIM…

    PUT LOTS OF LATIN DADS ON THE JURY…

    NOT GUILTY…

    HE SHOULD TURN HIMSELF IN WITH HIS ATTORNEY AND THEN SAY NOTHING…

    ***

  18. Way to go Mendoza just take matters into your own hands like the old days it seems we can do what we want now days

  19. The details make it seem like Mr. Mendoza was simply being a protective dad.

    And to Latina girls out there, stop dating the bums in our Latino community. If he drives a [removed] car and is into street racing, has an Edgar haircut, and makes less than $25 an hour, then don’t even bother. Boycott the losers until they get their crap in order.

  20. I don’t think Mendoza should have any charges filed against it makes it maybe leaving the scene the little punk got what he deserved you don’t mess with someone’s daughter and then try to break into the car what would it have done if Mr Mendoza didn’t shoot that idiot that’s one less Criminal

      • Did people overlook this: The father should have called the police to report a woman was being violently attacked. In five minutes, deputies patrolling the area would have responded, legally arresting the boyfriend. That pic of the father is a previous mug shot, he has his own story to tell.

        • Yes, that’s a police picture of Jose G. Mendoza. I saw it on Megan’s List several years ago. The article said that Mr. Mendoza sexually assaulted a preteen girl walking home from school.

        • Five minutes? Apparently there was a straight out of a Hollywood movie car chase running through town with full intentional collision action and the cops didn’t get there, so what makes you think calling them was gonna make any difference?