Mom Accused of Double Slaying Says Husband Shot West Hills Student

A of fatally shooting her husband and 14-year-old daughter told police that she killed her husband only after he killed the girl, it was reported Friday.

Regina Renee Johnson, 55, to two counts of murder and weapons charges in the deaths of Reuben Johnson, 56, and freshman .

Citing a search warrant affidavit, U-T San Diego reported that the defendant made the accusation when she was arrested, claiming her husband was mad that their daughter didn't go to school earlier in the week.

The defendant said that she intervened when her husband started to argue with their daughter. She said the girl was shot when she, in turn, stepped in to protect the defendant, according to U-T San Diego.

The defendant said after she killed her husband, she covered her daughter with a blanket and slept next to her for several days, the newspaper reported.

Authorities discovered the bodies June 2 but due to decomposition, police said they suspect the slayings may have been committed as early as May 30.

Police went to the family's condominium after the defendant called family members out-of-state, informing them that her husband and daughter were dead, and the family members relayed the information to police.

Both father and daughter were shot in the head and Reuben also had a gunshot wound to his upper body, according to prosecutors.

If convicted, the defendant faces 100 years to life in prison.

The defendant was laid off last year from her job as an office worker at a San Diego financial firm. Her husband retired from in the Navy after 20 years and was working as a security guard at the time of his death. The gun used in the killings was registered to him, authorities said.

There were no previous reports of violence in the Johnson family, according to authorities.

—City News Service

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