In-laws Roasting on an Open Fire

Santa gunman lost job, wife before gory attack

By CHRISTINA HOAG – 1 hour ago (AP)

COVINA, Calif. (AP) — Bruce Pardo's ambitions rarely panned out quite as he envisioned.
He lost his electrical engineering job. His marriage ended after two years. Even his planned getaway to Canada after a murderous rampage at his former in-laws' house ended instead in his suicide after he badly burned himself while torching the house.

The 45-year-old Pardo, accused of killing nine people and injuring three others, wasn't well-known by neighbors, who described him as a quiet man. Friends said he volunteered as a church usher.

But on Christmas Eve, police said he wreaked unimaginable havoc when he showed up at a party at his ex-wife's parents' home dressed as Santa Claus, leaving behind charred corpses and endless questions.

"It's a shock to everybody that knew him," said Jan Detanna, head usher at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montrose, where Pardo volunteered. "You just don't know what's going on sometimes."

--------------------------------------------------

You better not shout
You better not cry
Or file for divorce
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Teach Your Children Well



MRS. CLAUS, THAT’S WHO!


Who knits caps and scarves for the elves?
Who bakes the cookies? Who dusts the shelves?
Who does the jobs the elves don’t do?
MRS. CLAUS, THAT'S WHO!

Who's home alone on Christmas Day?
Who never gets to drive the sleigh
or tumble down a chimney flue?
MRS. CLAUS, THAT'S WHO!

She plays a very important role.
Let’s send a letter to the North Pole, saying
“Thanks for ev’rything you do.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without you!”
And who will we send that letter to?
MRS.CLAUS, THAT’S WHO!