Police: Gunman planted weapon on victim

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A man who shot six relatives planted a gun on his brother-in-law's body before killing himself, police in Grapevine, Texas, say.

Sgt. Robert Eberling said Azizolah "Bob" Yazdanpanah is believed to have shot all the victims, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. He was holding a .40-caliber Glock, while Mohamad Hossein "Cyrus" Zarei had a 9-mm Smith and Wesson in his hand.

Zarei had been shot more than once with each gun, investigators said.

"A couple of the victims tried to hold up their hands to protect themselves from being shot," Eberling said Wednesday. "But this was a small room and we believe everything happened in a matter of moments. No one had any time to run or protect themselves and everyone, it seemed, was taken by surprise."

Yazdanpanah's estranged wife and their two children were living in the apartment where the shootings took place on Christmas afternoon. Three relatives were with them for the holiday.

Yazdanpanah was wearing a Santa Claus costume when he carried out the killings.

Family members, friends and co-workers held a memorial gathering for the victims of the shooting Wednesday night in a Grapevine park.