Tragedy strikes in the Imperial Valley.
Police say in an apparent murder-suicide on Monday morning, a man killed his girlfriend and then himself in front of their young child.
Commander Jeff Mason with El Centro Police identified the victim as 38 year old Amber Bryant and the gunman 31 year old Nathan Velinquette. Bryant and Velinquette were reportedly a couple and had a ten year old son together.
Amber’s friends spent the day mourning her loss and working on helping the family.
Friends say they never had a clue anything was wrong with the victim or her boyfriend, and that the last time they were all together, Amber was happy and full of life.
Amber’s friend Tina Ramirez describes her as "super outgoing, super vivacious. She was willing to help anybody at anytime. There wasn't anything that Amber wouldn't do for you."
Ramirez, who graduated from Central Union High School in 1990 with Amber, said when upon hearing the news, she “couldn't believe it.”
Amber and her 10 year old son were on their way to Sunflower Elementary, where Amber taught sixth grade and her child was a student.
Witnesses tell police while heading southbound on La Brucherie Road in El Centro, Veliquette purposely hit Amber’s car, forcing her off the road.
Commander Mason explains “once the vehicles were stopped, Veliquette exited the truck, walked to the passenger side of the vehicle, and began firing a gun into the vehicle."
The carnage continued. Commander Mason said Veliquette tried shooting himself but either misfired or ran out of ammunition.
Veliquette allegedly went back to his truck, re-loaded his gun, returned to the side of Amber’s car and shot himself.
Mason says “this appears to be a murder suicide and there appears to be what we believe are some deep-seeded domestic issues."
The couple’s 10 year old son saw the entire ordeal. He escaped unharmed and is now staying with grandparents.
Doctor Bob Pletka, the Superintendent at Sunflower Elementary School, said the school is shaken.
Pletka said most of the teachers, stricken by grief, left school early. Administrators had to take over many of the classes.
Pletka told News 11 that Amber’s students were shocked. He added that the child’s class is reaching out and wants to help their classmate.
Crisis counselors are on hand at Sunflower Elementary School.
Holtville city employees are also shocked. City Manager Laura Fischer confirms that Veliquette worked for the city’s public works department.
Fischer added she believes the truck Veliquette was driving actually belongs to the city.
Just last weekend, Amber attended her 20th class reunion at Central Union High School. That was the last time many friends saw her.
Ramirez describes Amber as “very excited.” She remembers laughing and dancing with Amber and ponders “how could it be that we were just having fun, dancing, talking about high school, planning on my daughter taking her class – and now she's gone?"
Now former classmates are working together to do anything they can for Amber’s family. Right now, the class is working on donating flowers to the funeral.
Classmates tell News 11 they hope to contribute more in the future.
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