EPISODE · Dec 16, 2025 · 33 MIN
The Christmas Eve Massacre: The Ortega's
from Triggered - The True Crime Podcast
On Christmas Eve 2008, a man dressed as Santa Claus walked up to a family home in Covina, California. Moments later, the front door exploded in gunfire, and what followed became one of the most horrifying mass murders in American history.This is the story of Bruce Pardo: a bitter, unraveling man who turned a holiday meant for joy into a night of terror. Armed with a homemade flamethrower, multiple firearms, and a Santa suit, Pardo carried out a meticulously planned attack fueled by rage, rejection, and a desire for revenge.In this episode of Triggered, we walk through the events of that night step by step: how Pardo prepared, what happened inside the house, the devastating aftermath, and the unanswered questions that still haunt survivors and investigators. This is a case about entitlement, obsession, and what happens when anger is allowed to fester in silence, until it explodes.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
On Christmas Eve 2008, a man dressed as Santa Claus walked up to a family home in Covina, California. Moments later, the front door exploded in gunfire, and what followed became one of the most horrifying mass murders in American history.This is the story of Bruce Pardo: a bitter, unraveling man who turned a holiday meant for joy into a night of terror. Armed with a homemade flamethrower, multiple firearms, and a Santa suit, Pardo carried out a meticulously planned attack fueled by rage, rejection, and a desire for revenge.In this episode of Triggered, we walk through the events of that night step by step: how Pardo prepared, what happened inside the house, the devastating aftermath, and the unanswered questions that still haunt survivors and investigators. This is a case about entitlement, obsession, and what happens when anger is allowed to fester in silence, until it explodes.Listener discretion is strongly advised.Make sure to follow us on social media and check out everywhere you can listen at linktr.ee/triggeredthepodcastContact us at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Christmas Eve Massacre: The Ortega's
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