Police say Calif. gunman shot wife to death before rampage

RANCHO TEHAMA RESERVE, Calif. — The wife of a gunman who went on a shooting rampage in a Northern California town was found dead inside their home, authorities said Wednesday, raising the death toll from the attack to five.

Investigators discovered the body of Kevin Neal’s wife hidden under the floor with several gunshot wounds. They believe her slaying Monday was the start of the rampage, said Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston.

Neal shot and killed four other people and wounded 10 Tuesday at different locations around the rural community of Rancho Tehama Reserve. Police later shot and killed him.

At the time of the attack, the gunman was out on bail after he was charged with stabbing a neighbor. Court records show that Neal was barred in February from having guns.

Neal was able to use a semi-automatic rifle and two handguns Tuesday to shoot 14 people, including at an elementary school.

Court records show that Neal surrendered his weapons as required by law in February, but Johnston said they recovered two illegally made semi-automatic rifles and two handguns, registered in someone else’s name.

The gunman’s sister, Sheridan Orr, said her brother had struggled with mental illness and at times had a temper. She said he had “no business” owning firearms.

Neal