Chico man pleads guilty to shooting, killing wife in driveway

CHICO — A Chico man, suspected of killing of his wife, pleaded guilty Tuesday at the Butte County Superior Court, telling the presiding judge he was sorry for the pain caused to his family by his actions, according to press release from District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

John Waveng Her, 53, of Chico, was accused of shooting and killing his wife of 30 years, Xe Lor, on Sept. 27, 2023 at a relative’s house where family members had gathered to discuss a separation or divorce between the couple.

Lor had recently moved out of the family home, and she petitioned the court for a temporary domestic violence restraining order eight days before the shooting, Ramsey said.

Ramsey said Her, during this family meeting, pulled a handgun from underneath his jacket, shot Lor twice in the driveway of the house as she was leaving, then attempted to shoot himself.

The bullet grazed of Her’s head and he fell to the ground, Ramsey said. Holding on to the gun, Her shot Lor twice more.

After the shots, family members took Her’s handgun and held him down; Lor was taken to the hospital but died from her wounds, Ramsey said.

Ramsey said Chico police investigators collected video evidence that showed the incident.

Her was previously convicted for threatening his family in 2021, barring his right to possess firearms, Ramsey said.

Seven children are survived by Lor, the youngest is 9 years old. Three of the children witnessed the shooting, Ramsey said.

Ramsey said Her faces 25 years to life in prison at his sentencing April 3.