Texas gunman Aziz Yazdanpanah was angry with wife's success, friends say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Christmas day shooting in Grapevine, Texas

Police tape is seen near an apartment complex where police found seven people dead Dec. 25, 2011 in Grapevine, Texas.

(Credit: AP)

(CBS/AP) LANCASTER, Texas - A Texas man accused of killing six relatives and himself in a Christmas Day shooting massacre was having financial problems and didn't like that his estranged wife was doing so well, friends of the family said.

Aziz Yazdanpanah, 56, was dressed as Santa when he fatally shot his estranged wife, their two children and three other relatives in a Dallas suburb on Dec. 25 while opening Christmas presents.

The wife's brother says the suspect had been financially supporting the family. According to this source, Yazdanpanah had been unemployed for more than a decade, but says he never thought Yazdanpanah would become violent.

Although police believe the financial and marital problems were part of the shooter's issues, they are unsure of what led him to murder his family.

Family friend Mashy Modjdehi said Yazdanpanah's wife moved out of the couple's 3,010-square-foot home in the neighboring suburb of Colleyville in April and into the apartment complex two miles away. The two children moved with her.

Modjdehi, who owns a beauty salon in nearby Plano, said the family's financial troubles intensified about four years ago when Yazdanpanah stopped working in the mortgage business.

"I think he was probably overwhelmed when it was all said and done and decided to take his life instead," said police Sgt. Robert Eberling.

"We really don't have a clear idea why he did this," Eberling said. "Sometimes there's not a really good explanation for irrational behavior."

More on Crimesider:

December 29, 2011 - 'I'm shooting people:' Texas Christmas killer heard on 911 call

December 26, 2011 - Cops: Man who allegedly killed six relatives on Christmas day was dressed as Santa

December 26, 2011 - Police: 7 found shot dead in Dallas-area apartment

11 Comments +

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by SteveInTulsa January 3, 2012 8:29 AM EST: This is a typical muslim doing a typical muslim thing: Kill the family for Honor. Why do the liberal left news agencies refuse to print his religion?; Reply to this comment


by myoleman January 1, 2012 8:24 PM EST: The love for the "things" of the world. Envy, at seeing his estranged wife succeed in the accumulation of the things he craved, but couldn't have. The love of the world was stronger in this man than the love for his family. When human beings live their lives away from the influence of true faith in the One True God, their priorities become totally messed up. they end up destroying what really matters, and ruining their lives over the unrighteous mammon. Seek ye the Lord while He maybe found.; Reply to this comment


by FormerUSMCSergeant January 1, 2012 5:22 PM EST: Sounds to me like this guy was a jerk, she got tired of it, and moved on.

He couldn't stand the fact that she was fine without him and thought he needed revenge.

Extremely bent, obviously.; Reply to this comment

by mecanik-2009 December 31, 2011 7:52 PM EST

Why would a Muslim dress up in a Santa Suit. Wouldn't their religion prevent them from celebrating Christmas in such a way. Maybe I don't understand Muslims very well.

Reply to this comment


by th9876 December 31, 2011 8:51 PM EST: I don't think he dressed in the Santa suit to celebrate Christmas.


by Founders1792 December 31, 2011 12:28 AM EST: CBS has given us a splendid example of 'media bias' and liberal slant....this story is a keeper!

The truth folks:

MUSLIM DRESSES AS SANTA CLAUSE, KILLS FAMILY BECAUSE OF WESTERNIZATION OF FAMILY

That is the truth folks. You are not reading other interviews that report, yet again (Ft.Hood), suppression of 'radical Muslim extremists', which is exactly what they are, right here in good ole America.

Good job CBS, for deceiving the reader on this one!; Reply to this comment


by payasyougo December 30, 2011 7:55 PM EST: Class envy usually leads to violence.

There is no excuse for what he did.
There is no valid reasoning for what he did.
He killed because he didn't value human life.; Reply to this comment


by Jenna1955 December 30, 2011 6:57 PM EST: This story is totally confusing! He's been out of work for over a decade??? He was supporting the family?? No matter this is a very sad story.; Reply to this comment

by RCC_Soldaten December 30, 2011 4:56 PM EST

'Yazdanpanah had been unemployed for more than a decade'

Lazy bum. Being a muslim he probably felt that his wife should be supporting him.

Reply to this comment


by t_k_shoults December 30, 2011 11:03 PM EST: What does his religion have to do with him not working?

If you've ever been out of work does that make you a lazy bum??


by pak31 December 30, 2011 12:34 PM EST: Very sad situation. I don't know what to think really. I don't like the fact that this man couldn't just accept his path in life, and be grateful for his children, etc. I can understand being desperate but to kill your own children because you are frustrated or jealous is just terrible. I hate so see anyone die but why did he have to kill all those people? I don't understand the story though, he has been out of work for a decade but was supporting the family? He probably was freaking out over money and couldn't just open up and talk to the ex about it.; Reply to this comment