Police release chilling details after doctor and his wife were fatally shot in their garage

Details have been released following the fatal shooting of a California doctor and his wife at their home, with police believing it to be a targeted attack and 'not a random incident'.

The shocking attack in Simi Valley claimed the lives of Eric Cordes, 63, and Vicky Cordes, 66, who were pronounced dead in hospital after their bodies were discovered by police officers responding to reports of shots fired at the California property on Sunday (November 30).

Dr Cordes' employer, Adventist Health Simi Valley, first identified him in the wake of the shooting, saying in a tribute: "Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years.

"Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him as we grieve this shocking loss."

This deadly domestic incident sparked a large manhunt for the gunman, who fled the scene in a black sedan with out-of-state plates, according to ABC 7. This vehicle was then located using automatic license plate recognition software, traveling southbound on the 210 Freeway.

Detectives learned that this car was registered to Keith Cordes, the 37-year-old son of Eric and stepson of Vicky.

The vehicle was eventually tracked down through a coordinated effort from local police departments, with a burned-out black sedan left parked outside Ayala Park.

Inside the car was a deceased individual - identified by the San Bernardino County Medical Examiner as Keith - who investigators believe set the car on fire before shooting himself.

The gun recovered from the vehicle is also understood to be the same one used in the fatal shooting of Eric and Vicky, resulting in Keith being considered an official suspect.

Shocked neighbor Mike Hylton shared more information about the 63-year-old radiologist, as well as the moment gunshots broke the silence of their domestic street.

Dr. Eric Cordes and his wife Vicky were fatally shot in their home (Focus Medical Imaging)

He said: "Eric was... a figure in the community with regards to being the director of radiology over at Adventist Health in Simi. He's known by a lot of people, and it's just really sad.

"I didn't hear the gunshots. My son did. He was upstairs, and the window was open, so he heard the gunshots and looked out the window and saw the car speeding away."

Another of Dr Cordes' employers, Focus Medical Imaging, paid tribute to a man dedicated to serving the people in his local area. "Dr. Eric Cordes was a brilliant, hardworking doctor, and a respected colleague," the tribute reads.

"He served the Simi Valley community and surrounding areas throughout his entire career, never once leaving for other communities. Our entire group will be thinking and praying for him and his family today. He will surely be missed."

Simi Valley Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting.