Coronado Shooting: Navy Murders Motive Floated, Police Prepare Update

Update: San Diego Investigators have confirmed that John Reeves, David Reis' roommate, committed suicide on New Year's Day, after killing Reis, his sister Karen, and a 31-year-old man named Matthew Saturley. For details, see Coronado Shooting Newsbreak.

As investigators continue to search for answers in the shooting deaths of four people in Coronado, Calif., including two young Navy pilots, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department says it is planning an announcement later today that may include significant updates in the murder investigation.

Sheriff's homicide Capt. Duncan Fraser told reporters that the department hoped to release more information about the New Year's Day murders soon. The conference may divulge the names of the two of the deceased, so far only identified as a 25-year-old Navy pilot and a 31-year-old unidentified male.

'It's our top priority.'

But detectives first must sort through piles of evidence and ballistics in order to determine what happened in the hours before the deaths. So far, police have said little beyond reassuring the community that there any no suspects still at large.

It is going to take awhile, Fraser said. There is a lot of evidence to sift through.

He did confirm that officers, detectives and other investigators in the area were all working diligently on the case.

It's our top priority, he said.

David Reis, 25, and his sister Karen, 24, were identified Monday as two of the dead by their father Tom Reis.

Leak in Investigation

Whatever is revealed in the announcement slated for this afternoon, sources with the Sheriff's Department have already let some information slip to reporters.

1-News reports that sources say two guns were used in the quadruple slaying, but there was only one gunman.

Sources also said that authorities may be focusing on the motives of roommate John Reeves, 25, and see him as the possible gunman. Reeves is widely suspected to be the fellow Navy pilot found dead in the California condo on New Year's Day. Insiders indicate jealousy may have been a motive in the murders.

When asked whether David Reis or his sister Karen could have been involved in the shooting, friend Rebecca Bailey was emphatic in her denial.

Not a cell in my body [believes either were the killer], she said. They were happy, they loved life.

No matter what happened, she [Karen] is who she is in our hearts, and that will just never change.

'She was on to great stuff.'

As investigators work to solve the mystery of the Reis siblings' deaths, the Coronado and Graces community, where David and Karen went to school, are working to remember their lives.

They were two selfless people, high school President John Fanucchi told Bakersfield.com. He had special praise for David Reis.

[David was] an all-around active, helpful and positive young man.

Friends of Karen Reis, meanwhile, remember her as a loving sister with a bright future ahead.

She was on to great stuff, Marc Lomeli told Chron.com. Lomeli is the director of Genuine Volleyball Club, where Reis coached volleyball while working to become an occupational therapist.

She had incredible passion for the game, Lomeli said. She had a patience and calm persistence with the kids to really work with them to reach their potential.