Shots Killed Woman, Coroner’s Officials Say

A woman who was killed after a confrontation with Pasadena police died of multiple gunshot wounds, coroner’s officials have confirmed, but it remained unclear whether any of the wounds were self-inflicted.

Patricia Kay Gonzales, 54, of Whittier, who allegedly fired a handgun into the Marengo Avenue law offices of her former boss Monday evening, was struck by five bullets after she reportedly refused a police order to put down the gun.

After the shooting, Pasadena police said one of the wounds may have come from her own gun. Two officers fired two shots each at Gonzales, said Police Cmdr. Mary Schander.

Coroner’s spokesman Scott Carrier said an autopsy found that none of the wounds alone were fatal. He said his office has not ruled out the possibility that one of the shots could have come from Gonzales’ weapon.

Attorney Charles T. Mathews, was inside the office with his wife and two children when Gonzalez, Mathews’ former legal secretary, fired into the building, authorities said. Mathews had a restraining order against Gonzales after she allegedly threatened him with a gun at his home, and charges were pending. Mathews has declined to comment.