Francis William Varney, a 77-year-old resident of Azusa, California, was tragically killed on November 8, 2016, in a shooting incident that shocked the local community. Varney, a long-time resident known for his friendly demeanor and morning walks with his Chihuahua, was one of the victims of a violent outburst by his next-door neighbor, Carlos Francisco Mendez.
On that fateful afternoon, Mendez, who had been bingeing on cocaine, emerged from his home armed with an automatic rifle and began indiscriminately firing at people in the neighborhood.
The chaos began around 2:25 p.m. when Mendez first targeted passing vehicles, striking a woman driving a van. The woman, hit in the head, lost control of her vehicle, which subsequently crashed. Varney, hearing the commotion, stepped outside his home to investigate and was fatally shot by Mendez. The rampage continued as Mendez shot another woman who was walking down the street. Police officers arrived shortly after, responding to reports of gunfire. As they attempted to assist the injured, Mendez fired at them from his front porch, leading to a shootout. Mendez fired at least 20 rounds at the officers, who returned fire until Mendez ceased shooting. Varney was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:40 p.m., while the two women, aged 65 and 59, were critically injured and airlifted to a hospital.
The investigation revealed that Mendez had a history of drug use and owned multiple firearms, including handguns, a shotgun, and a rifle. His family had left the house the night before due to his erratic behavior. Mendez, who worked for the city of Garden Grove's public works department, had only lived in the neighborhood for about five months. The incident prompted a significant police response, with ten agencies providing assistance. Nearby schools, streets, and a polling place were locked down as authorities worked to secure the area and determine if there were additional shooters.
The aftermath of the shooting left the community in mourning. Neighbors remembered Varney as a kind and quiet man who had lived in the area for nearly 50 years. He was a widower who enjoyed his daily walks and was well-liked by those who knew him. The tragic event highlighted the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of community safety. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department led the investigation into the shootings, which concluded with the determination that Mendez acted alone in his drug-fueled rampage.
