In order to hide his traces, a 19-year-old guy in California is suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend and three of her roommates earlier this month by shooting them all to death while they were sleeping and then lighting the house on fire.
Miguel Diego Sandoval was taken into custody and charged with four murders, one offense of arson of an inhabited structure or property, and one count of first-degree domestic burglary with a person present, according to the authorities.
Edwin Garcia, 24, Matthew Montebello, 23, Janvi Maquindang, 24, and Christine Aca-ac, 29 were the victims of the heinous killings. Aca-ac and Maquindang were sisters and brothers.
In a news release, prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office further claimed that the defendant used a firearm, committed many murders, and purposefully killed the victims by lying in wait.
Around 1:30 a.m. on November 16, Sandoval allegedly broke into the victim’s residence in Lancaster, a city in northern Los Angeles County, located in the 44500 block of N. Tabler Avenue. At the time, all four victims were asleep. Prosecutors say Sandoval then killed each of them.
According to the announcement, Sandoval then set the house on fire in order to hide the crimes. On the spot, Mr. Maquindang, Ms. Aca-ac, and Mr. Garcia were declared dead. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies saved Mr. Montebello from the burning residence, but he passed away in the hospital from his wounds.
A fifth person in the house apparently managed to flee the carnage unharmed, according to authorities.
First responders found the house entirely engulfed in flames when they arrived, according to Los Angeles CW affiliate KTLA. When firefighters entered and found the victims inside at around 2:30 a.m., they had managed to contain the fire.
The 16-year-old sister of one of the fatalities was the only one to survive the vicious attack, according to Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC. She reportedly called 911 after hiding in her closet after hearing the gunshots.
Around 1:27 this morning, a family member at the station reported hearing gunshots. Steve Dejong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office told KABC that woman remained in her room out of fear, which allowed deputies to find and remove her.
According to video that the Daily Mail was able to obtain, Sandoval showed up in court for the first time this week without a shirt. He was an ex-boyfriend of one of the housemates, according to KTLA, though more information regarding the relationship was not immediately available.
In an announcement of the charges, District Attorney George Gascon said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of these four lives, including a brother and sister, who were callously shot as they peacefully slept in their beds.” The Lancaster community has been devastated by this shooting, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims who are dealing with this unexpected and unfathomable loss.
Sandoval is currently being held without bond at the Los Angeles County Jail. On January 27, 2024, he is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment.
Sandoval might receive a life sentence without the chance of release if found guilty.
Both Maquindang and Aca-ac, Garcia, and Montebello have their own GoFundMe accounts.
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