Authorities in California say a veteran fire captain is facing two homicide charges after allegedly killing his partner and her young son in a shooting at his home in Cameron Park. Darin McFarlin, 47, was arrested early Friday and booked into jail without bond.
He is accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Marissa Divodi-Lessa and her son, Josiah Divodi-Lessa. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 9 p.m. Thursday to reports of gunfire at McFarlin’s residence.
Divodi-Lessa was pronounced dead at the scene, while Josiah, a second-grade student at Blue Oak Elementary, was transported to the hospital, where he later died. Another juvenile was found safe inside the home. Authorities have not disclosed that child’s relationship to the victims.
According to local NBC affiliate KCRA, McFarlin was quickly identified as a person of interest in the case. He was later located in Mono County, near the Nevada border, and taken into custody shortly after midnight. He has since been booked on two counts of homicide.
Officials confirmed McFarlin is a fire captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) in the Amador El Dorado unit. A spokesperson for Cal Fire said the agency is monitoring the situation closely.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive. The sheriff’s office described McFarlin and Divodi-Lessa as being in “a domestic relationship,” though it is unclear whether the two were married or dating. Family members of the victim said they were boyfriend and girlfriend.
Neighbors in the quiet suburban community expressed shock at the news. Some said they did not hear gunfire Thursday evening, and one neighbor recalled greeting McFarlin earlier in the day as he waved hello, as he often did. The violence that followed just hours later left the neighborhood stunned. Divodi-Lessa leaves behind a daughter. A GoFundMe page included a message from the girl about her mother and younger brother, who went by JoJ.
The Buckeye Union School District confirmed Josiah’s death in a statement, describing him as a beloved second grader. “Our hearts are with the family, friends, classmates, and staff affected by this tragedy,” the district said. Counselors have been made available for students and staff coping with the loss.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the investigation or what may have led to the deadly shooting. For now, McFarlin remains in custody at the El Dorado County Jail as investigators piece together the circumstances behind the double homicide.