INGLEWOOD - Body armor and a .38-caliber revolver were found with the charred remains of a man believed to have set fire to his Inglewood bungalow before going on a predawn shooting spree that claimed the life of a father and his young son, police said Sunday.

Desmond Moses, 55, is suspected of killing Filimon "Fili" Lamas and his 4-year-old son and injuring three other family members - Lamas' wife, 28-year-old Gloria Jiminez, and two of their children, a 6-year-old boy and 7-year-old daughter.

Inglewood police, however, could not confirm the body found in the 4900 block of West 99th Street was that of Moses, the Haitian-born recluse believed to be the killer, although there were signs suggesting it was. Along with the bullet-resistent vest and loaded revolver in his left hand, the body had what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. The weapon was registered to Moses, police said in a statement.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials will conduct an autopsy, and a positive identification is expected by the end of the week.

Police said Lamas, 33, used his body to shield three of his children during the rampage. Jiminez ran from the residence carrying her dying 4-year-old son, despite having gunshot wounds to both legs. She collapsed in the street.

"This heroic effort by both parents to protect the children was astounding considering that Mr. Lamas died shielding three children and Jiminez had gunshot wounds to both legs, yet was able to run from the house," Inglewood police Lt. James D. Madia said in a statement.

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