Clerk Shot to Death at Hospital in Van Nuys

As a dozen horrified co-workers looked on, a billing clerk at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Van Nuys was shot to death Monday by her estranged boyfriend, Los Angeles police said.

Tina Guadiana, 24, of Sylmar, was shot about 8:30 a.m. in the basement business office of the hospital, according to police. None of her co-workers were hurt in the attack.

The employees reacted with “fear, panic, just complete shock and horror to see a friend of theirs shot to death in front of them,” said Detective Mel Arnold.

Guadiana’s ex-boyfriend, Adam Espinoza, was being sought Monday on suspicion of murder. Arnold said investigators asked Espinoza’s family to persuade him to surrender if he contacts them.

‘History of Violence’

The couple had dated for two years in a relationship marked by “a history of violence,” possibly including Guadiana’s being beaten once, Arnold said. They lived together at the home of Espinoza’s parents in Sylmar and separated just two weeks ago, the detective said.

Monday morning, Espinoza, 24, walked into the hospital and confronted Guadiana at her desk, police said. He told Guadiana to leave with him and grabbed her by her hair, then reportedly fired at least one shot from a handgun when she resisted, according to investigators.

Physicians were unable to revive Guadiana. She was pronounced dead minutes later.

Hospital spokesmen said Guadiana had worked at the hospital six months and leaves a 6-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.

Day Off for Witnesses

Witnesses to the shooting were interviewed by police and then sent home for the day, said David Gustafson, the hospital’s chief executive officer.

He said staff psychiatrists will hold counseling sessions for witnesses and friends of Guadiana beginning at once. “It will last as long as it takes to talk things out,” he said.

Hospital officials said two armed security officers will be assigned to the business office temporarily to ease the fears of employees.