Just before a weekend meant for honoring fathers, a heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the quiet San Mateo neighborhood in San Pedro. Rubio Salazar, a familiar face on the island, was killed in a shocking altercation, allegedly at the hands of his own son. What should have been a time for family and celebration has instead turned into a time of mourning and disbelief. The incident has left a family shattered and a community searching for answers. Tonight, we take a closer look at what led to this devastating turn of events. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
For one San Pedro family, this Father’s Day brought heartbreak instead of celebration. Fifty-nine-year-old Rubio Salazar lost his life in a violent altercation with his own son. Police say the argument between Rubio and thirty-nine-year-old Daniel Salazar turned deadly after a blow to the head escalated the situation.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“Police are investigating the death of fifty-nine-year-old Rubio Salazar of the San Mateo area, San Pedro, which occurred on June fourteenth, 2025, at approximately 3:30 P.M. The investigation revealed that Rubio Salazar and his son Daniel Salazar got into an altercation with each other, where it is alleged that Rubio struck Daniel with a stick, and Daniel inflicted a chop wound in the upper part of Rubio’s body, fatally wounding him. Daniel Salazar was detained, and it was observed that he had a wound to the temple for which he sought medical attention.”
Neighbors say the argument may have started over the family dogs, one belonging to Daniel Salazar at the front of the yard, and the other, known to be aggressive, belonging to his father at the back. They believe tensions over the dogs may have sparked the deadly confrontation. Meanwhile, Daniel’s mother, Erminia Muschamp, is still in shock. She says she never saw her son as a violent person and is struggling to come to terms with what happened.
Erminia Muschamp, Mother of Daniel Salazar
“I couldn’t believe it; I was surprised. Daniel is not that kind of person. He’s not a violent person; I can’t even explain. He is a calm person, a responsible person, and a mannered person. He’s not a drunkard, like, going to drink outside or socialize with people like that. He was the best son I ever have.”
Muschamp says her son isn’t a violent person and believes he may have been pushed to his breaking point. She claims her former husband, Rubio, had a history of aggression, and suggests that Daniel may have been triggered during the heated exchange that turned deadly.
“With me living with him, I know he was that person that used to hit me, used to be violent with me. But with kids, like with the years that passed, I can’t say about that. I don’t really know what kind of person he’d become after. When you’re living with somebody and then separate, it’s two different things. I can’t really say anything about Rubio’s life now.”
Police are yet to determine if self-defense can be applied to this incident.
ASP Stacy Smith
“Self-defence certainly arises on the facts; however, for self-defence to be successfully sustained, proportionality is the question. The office of the director of public prosecution will give directions as to what charges are to be levied under the circumstances. I can confirm that samples were taken from persons present and statements were recorded.”
The tragic death left a lasting impact on the entire family as they grieve the loss of Rubio and process the actions of Daniel Salazar. Erminia is hoping that no matter what the outcome, justice will prevail, and her family can overcome their heartbreak.
Erminia Muschamp
“I trust in God, and I believe in God. I pray for the best for my son because he has a daughter that will be graduating on Wednesday, and that’s what he says, ‘Mom, my daughter, my daughter.’ I said, ‘Son, just have to wait and wait for the best and hope that justice will be served,’ and I said, you know, something triggered Daniel to react like that, and he told me he was hit twice before I react and he was tired; he just came in from work maybe like 5 or 10 minutes before, according to what I understand. And you know in this sun hot coming in from work tired, and someone attacks you, you don’t think; you just react.”
At this time, the family remains torn and confused, but is leaning on each other for support as they grapple with the reality of the situation. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Police have no records of prior altercations between Daniel and Rubio Salazar.