Rancho Cordova woke up to heartbreak Tuesday morning after four members of one family were found shot to death inside a quiet neighborhood home on Mill Water Circle. The victims were identified as David Edward Vallerga Jr., 58, his wife, Lindsey Peralta Vallerga, 48, and two children believed to be their 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to the home around 8:30 a.m. after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots. Not long after, authorities received a second call from someone claiming to have fired a gun and warning that booby traps had been placed inside the house. That alarming detail triggered a cautious and heavily controlled response from law enforcement.
Deputies blocked off the area and used specialized equipment to approach the home safely. They breached the property from the rear, entered through a sliding glass door, and sent a drone inside to survey the scene. The drone first located an unresponsive adult male. Once deputies confirmed there were no explosives or traps, they entered the home and discovered three more victims inside.
All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, each suffering from gunshot wounds. Investigators believe the case is a murder-suicide, and authorities have stated there are no additional suspects. The investigation remains active as detectives work to piece together the final hours inside the home at 5420 Mill Water Circle.
Public records show the home is owned by David and Lindsey Vallerga. David Vallerga Jr. was known in the community as a franchise owner of Gradepower Learning, an Elk Grove-based educational business. Officials said photographs from public social media accounts were consistent with the identities of the victims found in the home.
Neighbors described the street as calm and family-oriented, the kind of place where people walk their dogs and greet each other in passing. One neighbor said the violence was impossible to process. Nothing about the area suggested the kind of tragedy that unfolded behind those closed doors.
Throughout the day, sheriff’s chaplains and department personnel remained on scene to support both investigators and affected neighbors. Authorities emphasized there is no ongoing danger to the public and that family members of the victims have been notified as detectives continue their work.
The case has left a deep scar on the Rancho Cordova community, a sobering reminder of how unseen struggles can end in devastating loss. Officials urged anyone facing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts to seek help, noting that support is available at all hours through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
