Bell Gardens, Calif. Mayor Daniel Crespo fatally shot; wife released

BELL GARDENS, Calif. -- Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo was fatally shot by his wife Tuesday afternoon in what appears to be a domestic dispute, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said. His wife, Levette Crespo, 43, was briefly detained for questioning, but was not arrested.

The 45-year-old mayor was shot at a townhome in a gated complex in the 6300 block of East Gage Avenue shortly after 2:30 p.m.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Steve Jauch says the mayor got into an argument with his wife, and their 19-year-old son tried to intervene. Daniel Crespo and his son, Daniel Crespo, Jr., began fighting. That's when Levette Crespo got a gun and shot her husband several times in the torso.

He was transported to a local hospital, where he was shortly pronounced dead.

Authorities questioned both Levette Crespo and her son, who went to the station voluntarily. No arrests were made, but both were voluntarily staying at the Bell Gardens Police Department.

The sheriff's department is expected to present its case to the district attorney, who will determine if charges will be filed.

Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo is shown in this undated file photo.

Crespo had been a county deputy probation officer for the past 15 years. He was elected to the City Council in 2001.

The city website says Crespo married his high school sweetheart, Levette Crespo, in 1986. He had been married ever since.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information was asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.