CLOVIS, Calif. (KMPH) -
Clovis Police are investigating two murders and an officer-involved shooting that left the accused killer dead.
Police received a call of shots fired in the 200 block of Eighth Street just after 12:30 a.m. Friday.
Officers arrived moments later and found two people who had been shot to death in two separate houses across the street from each other.
Investigators say 40-year-old Christopher Machado shot and killed his mother, 73-year-old Edith Machado, and a neighbor, 60-year-old Vernon Lindsay.
While checking the area, police say they were confronted by Machado who walked up to them holding a shotgun.
Two of the officers shot him, and he died about three hours later at Community Regional Medical Center.
No officers were hurt.
Detectives have learned that Machado repeatedly rang the doorbell and banged on the door of the nunnery at Our Lady of Perpetual Help shortly before the murders.
When no one answered, detectives say he walked into the sanctuary and fired his shotgun at the crucifix. The bullet went into the wall. No one there was hurt.
Police say they have recovered the murder weapon.
Stay with KMPH News and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.
