Mariela Paredes Family Dental Care in Simi reopened for business Tuesday, but employees were still shaken by the shooting tragedy at the office less than a week earlier and the loss of their coworker, 24-year-old Mariela Paredes.

Dr. Ralph Maiello, who owns the dentist office that has been at 495 E. Los Angeles Ave. for 22 years, said it was difficult for him and his staff to come back to work.

"It's devastating to all of them. A lot of them are still in shock," Maiello said. "It was hard coming in today. It was hard opening the doors, but you know, we're here for our patients."

Though Maiello was not in the office on the day of the shooting, his wife was. The dentist said he felt incredibly sad by the whole situation and was still trying to come to grips with what happened.

"It's hard to shake the sadness. I feel so bad for (Mariela's) family and her, and I feel bad for the employees who were harmed innocently," he said. "They were here working and they got shot. It's a hard thing to digest."

Jaime Paredes Office manager Alex Carpio was at work on the morning of July 1 when Jaime Paredes, 30, barged into the office carrying an SKS assault rifle and looking for his wife.

According to police, Paredes was distressed over a recent separation with Mariela. Carpio said Paredes was also upset by suspicions that his estranged wife was seeing someone who worked at the office.

Officers say the domestic dispute is what led Paredes to fatally shoot his wife and seriously wound three others: Christian Carpio, 18; Gloria Castrellon, 37; and Lydia Carranza, 41. Christian Carpio is Mariela's brother.

"It was just a nightmare," said Alex Carpio, who is married to Omar Carpio, one of Mariela's brothers. "It's really hard for us to get through it."

Alex Carpio was able to flee the scene before Paredes turned his weapon on the employees. Although she had known Paredes since childhood, she said when she saw his face the day of the shooting, it didn't look like him.

"I never thought he was capable to do something like that," she said. "I don't know if people believe in the devil, but it seemed like he had somebody in him because it was not him."

The Ventura County District Attorney's office charged Paredes with one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, burglary, and possession of an assault weapon. He is being held without bail.

Christian Carpio and Carranza were released from the hospital on Saturday. Castrellon is still in intensive care at Simi Valley Hospital.

Friends and family are remembering the sweet spirit of Mariela Paredes, who was buried at Assumption Cemetery on Monday.

Alex Carpio said her sisterinlaw was a beautiful girl who didn't like to gossip or to burden others with her problems.

Mariela, who had a 6-year-old daughter with Jaime, had worked as a receptionist at the office for 3½ years. She was known for her soft-spoken, gentle manner and dedication to helping patients and fellow workers, Maiello said.

"We all were uplifted by her smile," Maiello said. "Her eyes lit up the room."

Donations to assist Mariela's family with funeral costs are being collected by T-Top Plumbing. Checks should be written to the Carpio Family Fund and mailed to T-Top Plumbing, 2215 First St., #103, Simi Valley, CA 93065. Call the company at (805) 5278867 during business hours for more information.