Laguna woman among dead in Seal Beach rampage

A Laguna Beach woman was among those killed in Wednesday’s shooting in Seal Beach.

Victoria Buzzo, 54, died after the shooting inside the Salon Meritage beauty parlor Wednesday afternoon when suspected shooter Scott Evans Dekraai allegedly walked in and started firing.

Public records show she was married to David Buzzo. The two lived on La Costa Court, off El Toro Road and near the Laguna Woods-Aliso Viejo border.

Witnesses reported that Dekraai, 41, walked into the upscale salon on Pacific Coast Highway and began firing. He allegedly shot at his ex-wife, her co-workers and salon customers.

Eight died, including Dekraai’s ex-wife, Michelle Fournier. A ninth victim was listed in critical condition at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and was reportedly improving.

Buzzo’s family declined to speak with the media Thursday.

Dekraai was arrested not far away from the salon by Seal Beach police. He didn’t resist arrest and officers found a small cache of weapons inside his car.

The shooting — the largest single killing in Orange County history — sent shockwaves through the peaceful beach town of about 25,000.

Grief counselors were sent to nearby schools in Los Alamitos, where many Seal Beach children attend. A makeshift memorial was being set up outside the salon Thursday morning. A candlelight vigil was also scheduled for Thursday night.

The Orange County district attorney’s office has scheduled a press conference Friday to discuss charges against Dekraai.

Media reports indicate Dekraai was a fisherman suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from a boating accident in 2007 and was engaged in a custody dispute with Fournier.

The Los Angeles Times also contributed to this report.

[email protected]

Twitter: @JosephSerna