California IN BRIEF : PALM SPRINGS : Gunman Invades Party; 2 Are Slain

A man described as distraught over his impending divorce burst into a birthday party and opened fire, killing his estranged wife and her male companion and wounding three others, police said. Carlos Barreto, 68, escaped after he allegedly shot into a crowd at a house where his estranged wife was hosting a party for several people with February birthdays, officers said. “Carlos Barreto threatened his wife in the past and he knew there was a party,” Lt. Bill Manger said. “He walked in--no one was paying attention to him. We don’t know why he shot the other people.” Barreto’s car was later found at the Indio bus station. Elaine Renee Barreto, 37, died instantly and Shawn Robertson, 30, died at Desert Hospital, police said. Robert Coon, 30, was hospitalized in critical condition; Steve Fowlow, 26, was stable, and Katherine Shute, 37, was treated and released.