A 19-year-old suspect, Miguel Sandoval, has been arrested in connection with a quadruple homicide and house fire in Lancaster, as reported by multiple sources. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting at a home on the 44500 block of Tabler Avenue on Nov. 16, around 1:30 a.m., where a party was believed to have been taking place, according to information obtained by KTLA.
Upon arrival, deputies found the house engulfed in heavy smoke and flames. Inside, they discovered five victims, four of whom were fatally shot and later identified as Edwin Garcia, Christine Aca-ac, Matthew Montebello, and Janvi Maquindang. These individuals were described as "young adults in their 20s." A fifth victim, a 16-year-old girl, was unharmed and had managed to hide in her room and swiftly call for help, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles.
The suspected gunman had initially fled the scene but was located and detained hours later. The case, which is being actively investigated under the belief that it was an isolated incident, will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration on Nov. 25, per announcements from the Sheriff's Department, as per KTLA.
Local residents were left trying to grapple with the shock of the event, with neighbor Hector Gonzalez expressing their disbelief, "It's a real quiet area so this is really shocking to us. We can't wrap our minds around it because it's insane, it's insane," as stated by Hoodline.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is urging anyone with information to contact the Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or to provide anonymous tips to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org, noted by ABC7.
