A Phoenix man has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison for the 2021 murders of his parents and brother. Brandon Michael Lujan, 37, received his sentence without the possibility of parole, as confirmed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
Lujan's conviction comes after an altercation at his parents' home, where he was previously residing, escalated into a deadly confrontation. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Brandon admitted to fatally shooting his brother, Matthew, during a fight and subsequently shot his parents when he claimed they lunged at him. The prosecution argued that Lujan had to deliberately reload his weapon to continue shooting, indicating a pause between the violent acts.
The crime scene was discovered on the 3200 block of Thomas Road. Notable in the case was the presence of Lujan's two young daughters in his vehicle on the day of the murder, one of whom overheard their father's chilling words, "I’m going to kill them [all]," before the sound of gunshots and screaming arose from within the home, as reported by 12 News.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned the actions stating, "To murder your family in such a deliberate, callous manner and express no remorse shows a remarkable lack of humanity." Mitchell's statement, obtained by local news outlets, also thanked prosecutors for their work to ensure Lujan will not be released. Lujan's wife, Raylien Loest, was also implicated in the case, having driven Lujan to the location on the day of the murder. She pleaded guilty to one count of hindering prosecution and was sentenced to three years in prison.
