In the tree-lined streets of Cameron Park, California, a horrific tragedy unfolded on the night of Thursday, August 21, 2025, shattering the peace of this close-knit community. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded to a chilling report of gunfire at a residence on the 3000 block of Oakwood Road around 9 p.m. What they discovered inside was a scene of unimaginable loss: 29-year-old Marissa N. Divodi-Lessa of Shingle Springs and a young boy, just a second-grader at Blue Oak Elementary, lay critically wounded from gunshots. Marissa was pronounced dead at the scene, her life extinguished in an instant. The boy, clinging to life, was rushed to a local hospital, where despite desperate efforts, he too succumbed to his injuries. A second young boy in the home, miraculously unharmed, was found safe, offering a small glimmer of relief amidst the heartbreak.

The suspect, 47-year-old Darin McFarlin, a fire captain with Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado unit, was identified as a person of interest in the killings. McFarlin, who had called the Oakwood Road residence home, was apprehended just after midnight in Mono County, nearly four hours from the crime scene, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Mono County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol. By 5:30 a.m. on Friday, August 22, he was booked into the El Dorado County Jail on two counts of homicide, held without bail as the community grappled with the shocking revelation of his alleged involvement. Authorities have confirmed that McFarlin and Marissa were in a domestic relationship, though the exact nature—whether married or dating—remains unclear. The motive behind this devastating act of violence has yet to be disclosed, leaving investigators and residents alike searching for answers.

Marissa N. Divodi-Lessa, described as a vibrant 29-year-old from Shingle Springs, was the mother of the young boy killed alongside her, a detail that has deepened the sorrow felt across Cameron Park. The Buckeye Union School District, where the child was a beloved second-grader, issued a heartfelt statement, mourning the loss of both mother and son. The district has mobilized a team of psychologists and counselors to support students, teachers, and staff at Blue Oak Elementary, where the young victim’s absence will be profoundly felt. The identity of the boy has been withheld to respect the family’s privacy as they navigate this unbearable grief, with the El Dorado County Coroner’s Office prioritizing notifications to next of kin.

The revelation that McFarlin, a 25-year veteran of Cal Fire, is the alleged perpetrator has sent shockwaves through the region. Cal Fire, acknowledging his role as a captain in their Amador-El Dorado unit, has stated they are closely monitoring the situation but has refrained from further comment, deferring to the Sheriff’s Office as the investigation unfolds. The contrast between McFarlin’s public persona as a protector against wildfires and the allegations of such a heinous act has left colleagues and neighbors reeling, struggling to reconcile the man they knew with the charges he now faces.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, in a poignant statement, extended their deepest condolences to the families, friends, and community impacted by this “devastating” loss. “This tragedy has touched the hearts of many,” they said, pledging to pursue justice for Marissa and her son with unwavering commitment. As detectives continue to interview witnesses and comb through evidence from both the Cameron Park residence and McFarlin’s arrest site, the investigation remains active, with authorities indicating that additional details will be shared as they emerge.

In Cameron Park, a community known for its tight bonds and serene landscapes, the weight of this tragedy is palpable. Friends, neighbors, and family members have come together to mourn, their grief compounded by the loss of a young life full of promise and a mother who cherished her children. Vigils and memorials are beginning to take shape as the community seeks to honor Marissa and her son, their memories forever etched into the heart of this small town. The road to healing will be long, but Cameron Park stands united in its resolve to support one another through this unimaginable sorrow, holding fast to the hope that justice will bring some measure of peace.