Family of Four, Including Two Children, Found Dead Inside ‘Booby-Trapped’ Home in Apparent Rancho Cordova Murder-Suicide

A California family of four, including two children, was found dead inside their Rancho Cordova, Sacramento-area home in what authorities believe was an apparent murder-suicide after the suspected shooter warned police that the residence had been booby-trapped.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office responded Tuesday to reports of a shooting at a home in Rancho Cordova. When deputies arrived, they received a chilling phone call from a person identifying himself as the shooter, who claimed he had placed booby traps inside the house, according to Fox 40.

“We received an additional call from someone identifying themselves as the shooter and stating that they had also placed some booby traps at the location,” Sgt. Edward Igoe said during a press conference.

Due to the threat, investigators deployed a drone inside the residence, where they discovered four individuals — a man, a woman, and two children — all dead from gunshot wounds.

“Based upon the investigation, including evidence at the scene and witness statements, detectives believe this was a murder-suicide at the male subject’s hand,” the sheriff’s office said.

While the coroner’s office has not formally released the victims’ identities, public records list David Edward Vallerga Jr., 58, and Lindsey Peralta Vallerga, 49, as the homeowners. The couple shared the home with their two children — Colton, 13, and Sydney, 11.

Business records obtained by The Sacramento Bee show the couple owned and operated two tutoring franchises under the name Grade Power Learning. Lindsey listed herself as the owner of the Elk Grove location on social media, while David identified himself as the center’s director.

Just days before the killings, Lindsey updated her Facebook cover photo to an image of herself, David, and their children standing outside the tutoring center. Previously shared posts portrayed the family as cheerful and close-knit, though investigators say evidence at the scene pointed to deeper turmoil.

In one December post, David jokingly wrote about watching “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” with his wife and children, tagging Lindsey in the message.

The couple had also spoken to The Sacramento Bee in 2021 about their involvement in the Elk Grove community while attending the grand opening of a city park with their children.

Dispatch audio reviewed by the outlet revealed that the caller told police, “I’m the shooter. I’m setting up booby traps and turning off the cellphone.”

Sgt. Igoe said the man who lived at the home had multiple firearms registered in his name, prior military service, and possibly military equipment. He declined to release further identifying details, citing coroner protocol.

“A response to something of this magnitude is always extremely difficult,” Igoe said. “As an agency, our prayers are with the friends and families of those involved.”

The investigation remains ongoing.