VALLEJO, Calif. — A 45-year-old Vallejo man has been arrested in Pennsylvania after allegedly shooting and killing his wife inside their Vallejo apartment, according to the Vallejo Police Department (VPD).
Discovery of the Victim
Police say the investigation began Tuesday night when officers were called to the 1000 block of Oakwood Avenue just before 9 p.m. after a concerned coworker reported a woman missing. The coworker told police that the woman had recently argued with her husband and had stayed with a friend after he threatened to kill her.
When officers arrived at the apartment, they received no answer at the door and found no signs of disturbance in the surrounding area.
The following morning, a maintenance worker at the complex entered the residence and found the woman dead from a gunshot wound.
Suspect Identified and Pursuit Across States
Detectives with the Vallejo Police Department took over the investigation and quickly identified the suspect as the victim’s husband, Zheer Queja Malassab, a 45-year-old Vallejo resident.
Using automated license plate readers, police discovered that the victim’s car had traveled out of state, prompting them to contact Pennsylvania authorities.
The Pennsylvania State Police located the missing vehicle and attempted a felony traffic stop, but Malassab refused to pull over, leading officers on a pursuit that ended when snowy road conditions forced him to stop.
He was arrested without incident and, according to VPD, confessed to shooting his wife.
Awaiting Extradition to California
Malassab is currently being held in Pennsylvania and is awaiting extradition to California, where he will be booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of murder.
Police have not released the victim’s name pending notification of next of kin.
Vallejo’s 17th Homicide of the Year
The killing marks Vallejo’s 17th homicide of 2025, adding to a growing number of domestic violence-related deaths in the Bay Area this year.
The Vallejo Police Department continues to investigate and urges anyone experiencing domestic abuse or threats to seek help immediately through local or national hotlines.
Stay with HonkNews.com for updates on the Vallejo homicide investigation and the extradition of Zheer Queja Malassab back to California.