California Man Accused of Decapitating Parents and Dog, Chasing Worker in Stolen Golf Cart

A California man was shot by a sheriff's deputy after allegedly decapitating and mutilating his elderly parents and the family dog before stealing a maintenance man's golf cart and chasing him in it while covered in their blood, officials said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department said deputies responded to a reported domestic assault near the 32000 block of Alipaz Street in the City of San Juan Capistrano at around 7:36 a.m. on July 9.

There they found a "horrific scene" including the "decapitated and mutilated bodies" of a man, a woman and their dog.

The victims were later identified as Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, and Ronald Walter Gerdvil, 77.

Minutes later, at 7:42 a.m., dispatchers notified deputies at the scene that a "bloody male was chasing a maintenance worker" in the neighborhood.

It was soon learned that the bloody male had stolen the maintenance worker's golf cart and fled the area.

The suspect, later identified as the victims' son, 41-year-old Joseph Brandon Gerdvil, was spotted driving the golf cart on Calle Arroyo near a bike trail exit.

A sheriff's deputy contacted Gerdvil, and shot him. Gerdvil was transported to a local hospital where he was in stable condition.

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The sheriff's department said that once Gerdvil was medically cleared for booking he would be transported to Orange County Sheriff’s jail on two charges of homicide.

The sheriff's department said additional charges and enhancements would likely follow pending further investigation.

TMX contributed to this report.