Shooting Victim Caouette of Land Rover Mission Viejo Remembered Today

David Caouette's death will never make sense. But according to his friends, his was a life well-lived.

Caouette was a father, husband, friend and adventurer who spent his life seeking challenge and beauty.

A memorial will be held today in Seal Beach to honor David Caouette, who was shot and killed as he sat in his Land Rover in the parking lot outside Salon Meritage Wednesday.

A Seal Beach resident and a father of three grown children, Caouette was the last shooting victim in the massacre that left eight people dead.

Police say that , killing seven including his ex-wife with whom he was engaged in a bitter custody battle. According to prosecutors and witnesses, he then walked through the parking lot and committed one last random murder, shooting Caouette as he sat in his parked Land Rover.

“He had many passions, but his family was his greatest passion,” said Rich Guzman, who worked with Caouette at Land Rover Mission Viejo, planning off-roading adventures to show people what the vehicles could do. “He was a leader and a teacher. He knew all the trails and just where to go. He was always the first to jump in and help when someone needed it.”

During a recent off-roading trip, the group came across another off-roader stuck in a desert ravine.

“Dave refused to let the guy be stranded or wait for more help,” Guzman said. “He spent four hours getting him free.”

Co-worker Ed Testa talked to Caouette as they planned their next off-roading adventure.

“He was like the Indiana Jones of the world we work in,” said Testa.

Caouette knew all the best trails that ended with the most beautiful views, said coworkers.

“For him, it wasn’t just about getting to beautiful places, it was about the adventure of getting there,” said Guzman. “It was the beauty of being able to experience what you worked so hard to get at – Dave was the best at that.”

Today’s memorial will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot where Caouette was killed at 500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Seal Beach. This will be the only West Coast memorial service for Caouette as a private family ceremony is planned to take place on the East Coast.