Self-Storage Employee Fatally Shot by Tenant at CA Facility

An employee was shot and killed by a tenant during an argument last Sunday at a One Stop Storage facility in Covina, California. The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m., according to sources.

The victim has been identified as 44-year-old Patricia Villa. A witness told investigators they observed what appeared to be a dispute between Villa and Juan Nava, 66, who believed items were being stolen from his unit at 1432 N. Barranca Ave. The shooting took place after the witness left the property.

Nava had contacted police on Friday to report the alleged theft, according to Covina Police Detective Oswaldo Preciado, who noted that a report was not generated. He had made a similar claim in December 2023, and Villa was listed as a witness in that case. At the time, police determined the allegation to be unfounded, Preciado said.

When Villa’s family had not heard from her on Sunday, they went to the facility and discovered her with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers from the Covina Police Department and personnel from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded just before 1 a.m. Villa was unresponsive and pronounced deceased at the scene.

Nava was arrested on Monday at his residence, where officers located multiple assault rifles and ammunition, though the firearm used in the shooting was not recovered. He is being held at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles in lieu of $2 million bail.

One Stop Storage also operates facilities in Orange and Santa Ana, California. The brand is managed by StoragExperts, a family-owned company that operates properties under the names Ahwatukee Foothills Self Storage, Budget Mini Storage, Prescott Valley RV & Self Storage, and StoragExperts in Arizona and California.

Our thoughts go out to Ms. Villa's family and friends.