URGENT UPDATE: A mother of two, Patricia Villa, was tragically shot and killed while working at a storage facility in Covina, California, on November 2, 2023. The suspect, identified as Juan Nava, a 66-year-old customer, is now in police custody following a shocking incident that has left the community reeling.
Family members report that the shooting occurred around 5 p.m., just before the facility was set to close. Security footage reveals a masked man arriving at the scene, preparing himself before entering the storage facility. “The suspect came, parked his car, and you can see that he prepared himself, because you can see him putting on a mask and arming himself,” said Frank Villa, Patricia’s father.
Patricia’s family grew concerned when they couldn’t reach her, prompting them to drive to the facility. Inside, they discovered Patricia had been shot five times. The owners of the storage facility confirmed that police utilized facial recognition technology to identify Nava, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis prior to the shooting.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Frank Villa expressed disbelief at the violence that took his daughter’s life. “Patricia was a non-violent person… why did this have to happen to her?” he lamented. Friends and coworkers gathered for an emotional vigil on Saturday, mourning the loss of a dedicated employee and loving partner. “She brought light to everybody,” said Deann Pancheri, a coworker.
Authorities discovered an extensive arsenal at Nava’s home, which included automatic weapons and handguns. He has not been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on December 9, 2023.
A GoFundMe page has been established in Patricia’s name to support her grieving family. “I don’t know how anybody could, you know, even plan for something like this,” Pancheri said, highlighting the random nature of this tragic event.
The Covina community is left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, as loved ones seek justice for Patricia Villa. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops.
