A Los Angeles father is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting his two young sons in the head in broad daylight in Koreatown this week, then turning the gun on himself. He survived and remains hospitalized.
Adolfo Gramajo, 35, is accused of killing Jimmy Gramajo, 4, and Osmani Gramajo, 11. He has been charged with their deaths, with prosecutors adding a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders, according to MyNewsLA.
The attack reportedly happened during what was supposed to be a routine custody visit. Gramajo had told the boys’ mother, Edilma Bonilla De Leon, that he would be taking the children to his parents’ house. Instead, he reportedly took them to a nearby McDonald’s before the shooting.
It remains unclear why Gramajo allegedly turned on his own sons.
A family in mourning
The boys’ extended family has held multiple memorials to grieve the children. Marilsa Bonilla, the sister of the boys’ mother, described the devastation to LA Local.
“They’re my sister’s kids and this moment she’s going through hurts my soul,” Marilsa Bonilla said.
She said one of the gatherings fell near what should have been a celebration for the boys.
“I would’ve wanted this to be a birthday party for my nephews with gifts and laughs, and although it’s the exact opposite, I’m still grateful for the community that came to support,” she said.
Bonilla said the family has been overwhelmed by support from strangers moved by the boys’ story.
“There are so many people that came here today that we don’t know, but that have felt moved by the story of the children,” she said. “We don’t have the words or know how to return so much kindness… we hope to God that the example of these little ones will motivate other parents to give more love to their children and preserve life because it is precious.”
Andrew Conroy, principal at Virgil Middle School, told LA Local that Osmani was known for arriving to school early every day with a smile on his face.
A disturbing online history
Gramajo, who said on Facebook he was originally from Algarrobo, Spain, in the Malaga province, had posted pictures of his sons alongside messages that have since drawn scrutiny. His Facebook bio, translated from English, read: “Usually nothing makes me happy anymore; I’m still alive because my family needs me to survive…”
A post from December 2018 has taken on a chilling new meaning in light of the killings. Translated from English, it read: “Don’t judge me cause I am quiet, no one plans a murder out loud.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe to cover the boys’ memorial expenses and to support the mother, who is currently unable to work.
