Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has formally charged Miguel Diego Sandoval with the murder of four young adults in a Lancaster home on November 16. As reported by the DA's office, the victims include Edwin Garcia, Matthew Montebello, and siblings Janvi Maquindang and Christine Aca-ac, all in their 20s. The defendant is facing four counts of murder among other charges related to the incident. "This shooting has devastated the Lancaster community, and our hearts go out to the victims’ families, who are suffering from this sudden incomprehensible loss," Gascón said.
Details provided by the DA's office indicate that on the early morning of November 16, Sandoval allegedly entered the residence, shot the victims as they slept, and then set the house on fire in a bid to obscure his crimes. While three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, deputies rescued Montebello from the blaze, who later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Prosecutors allege that Sandoval lay in wait, and committed multiple murders, with another person present during the burglary. Miguel Diego Sandoval, born January 21, 2005, is additionally charged with first-degree residential burglary with a person present, and arson of an inhabited structure or property.
If convicted on all counts, Sandoval could face a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The arraignment is set for January 27 at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse. Sandoval remains in custody without bail. Conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the ongoing investigation continues to unravel the full scope of the incident and the motive behind these heinous acts.
