A respected radiologist and his wife were gunned down in their Simi Valley garage in broad daylight, with investigators now linking the shooting to a burnt vehicle and deceased body discovered miles away in Chino.
Story Overview
- Dr. Eric Cortez, a 30-year veteran radiologist at Adventist Health Simi Valley, and his wife Vicki were shot multiple times in their open garage on November 30, 2025, around noon
- Police believe the couple was deliberately targeted, suggesting premeditation rather than random violence in what residents describe as a safe, family-oriented neighborhood
- Investigators are pursuing a possible connection between the Simi Valley shooting and a burnt black sedan discovered in Chino with a deceased individual found nearby, suggesting the shooter may have taken their own life
- The brazen daylight attack in a residential cul-de-sac has left the Wood Ranch community shaken, raising concerns about safety even in well-established neighborhoods
Targeted Attack in Peaceful Community
On November 30, 2025, at approximately noon, a male suspect exited a vehicle and opened fire on Dr. Eric Cortez and his wife Vicki as they stood in their open garage on Hawksbill Place in Simi Valley’s Wood Ranch community. Both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where they succumbed to their injuries. The Simi Valley Police Department arrived at the scene and immediately began investigating what appeared to be a deliberate, targeted attack rather than a random act of violence.
Neighbors described the couple as friendly, well-integrated members of the community who were frequently seen walking in the quiet, walkable cul-de-sac. The attack’s brazen nature—occurring in broad daylight in a residential garage—shocked residents accustomed to the area’s reputation for safety and family-oriented living. The targeted nature of the shooting suggests the perpetrator possessed specific knowledge of or grievance against the victims, though investigators have not yet disclosed the motive or suspect identity.
Prominent Physician’s Legacy Cut Short
Dr. Eric Cortez was a board-certified radiologist who served the Simi Valley community for nearly three decades. Adventist Health Simi Valley released a statement expressing the community’s profound loss: “Doctor Cortez was a highly respected board certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years.” His professional standing and deep roots in the healthcare system made him a pillar of the community, making the targeted nature of his death particularly troubling and suggesting the attack was not random or spontaneous.
The loss of a 30-year veteran physician has reverberated through Adventist Health Simi Valley and the broader medical community. Colleagues and staff are grappling with the sudden removal of a respected professional from their midst, while patients who trusted Dr. Cortez with their healthcare have lost access to a physician with whom they had built long-term relationships. The impact extends beyond professional circles to the entire community that benefited from his medical expertise and personal presence.
Investigation Expands Across Jurisdictions
Simi Valley police coordinated with Chino police regarding a burnt black sedan and a deceased individual discovered in Chino on the evening of November 30, 2025. Investigators are actively pursuing a possible connection between the Simi Valley shooting and the Chino incident, with evidence suggesting the shooter may have fled to Chino and taken their own life. The cross-jurisdictional investigation reflects standard homicide protocols when evidence indicates a perpetrator may have escaped the initial crime scene.
⚠️ WARNING: This post describes a double homicide & suicide
Dr. Eric Cordes, 63, and his wife Vicki Cordes, 66, were fatally shot in the garage of their $1.3 million Simi Valley home on Sunday afternoon. The couple died from multiple gunshot wounds in a crime police state was… pic.twitter.com/0NYUAsZvqw
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) December 1, 2025
As of December 1, 2025, the investigation remains active with no arrest made and the suspect’s identity still undetermined. Detectives continue working to identify the gunman and establish definitive connections between the two incidents. Police have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community, though residents remain shaken by the violent deaths of two well-liked neighbors in what was perceived as a secure neighborhood. The investigation’s progression will likely yield additional details about the suspect’s identity, motive, and the confirmed relationship between the Simi Valley shooting and the Chino incident.
Sources:
Simi Valley Shooting: Two Wounded on Hawks Bill Place
