Montclair, California
June 29, 2020
Agencies: Fresno Police Department California | Pomona Police Department California
Cause of death: Shooting
Last updated: about 3 years ago
On Sunday, June 28, 2020, Fresno Police Department (FPD) officers responded to a call of a deceased person after family members discovered 59-year-old Thelma Vasquez dead at a house in Fresno. According to FPD, Costales, Vasquez's son, admitted to killing her and taking her car.
The FPD issued a bulletin and Pomona Police Department officers later apprehended Costales at a traffic stop. According to officers, Costales exited his car and fired a the officers. An officer fired back, shooting Costales. He was taken to the hospital where he later died, and a firearm was recovered at the scene.
A motive is still unknown, but family says Costales, a Marine veteran, struggled with drug abuse and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.