A 19-year-old man in California is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and three of her roommates earlier this month, shooting them all while they slept and then setting fire to the house in an attempt to cover his tracks.
Miguel Diego Sandoval was arrested and charged with four counts of murder, one felony count of first-degree residential burglary with a person present, and one felony count of arson of an inhabited structure or property, authorities said.
The victims of the horrific murders were identified as Edwin Garcia, 24, Matthew Montebello, 23, Janvi Maquindang, 24, and Christine Aca-ac, 29. Maquindang and Aca-ac were brother and sister.
“It is further alleged that the defendant intentionally killed the victims by lying in wait, committed multiple murders, and used a handgun,” prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
According to prosecutors, Sandoval allegedly broke into the victims’ home in the 44500 block of N. Tabler Avenue in Lancaster, a city in northern Los Angeles County, around 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. All four victims were sleeping at the time. Sandoval then killed each of them, according to prosecutors.
“Sandoval then set fire to the house to cover up the crimes,” according to the release. “Mr. Garcia, Ms. Aca-ac, and Mr. Maquindang were pronounced dead on the scene. Mr. Montebello was rescued from the burning house by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, but he died of his injuries in the hospital.”
Authorities also reported that a fifth person in the home was able to escape the massacre unharmed.
According to Los Angeles CW affiliate KTLA, first responders arrived at the home to find it completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by about 2:30 a.m., when they entered and discovered the bodies inside.
According to Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC, the only survivor of the vicious attack was one of the victims’ 16-year-old sister. She reportedly heard the gunshots and hid in her closet, where she called 911.
“A family member at the station reported hearing gunshots around 1:27 this morning.” She remained in her room because she was afraid, and that’s when deputies were able to find and extract her,” said Steve Dejong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office to KABC.
Sandoval appeared in court for the first time this week, and he arrived shirtless, according to video provided by the Daily Mail. According to KTLA, he was an ex-boyfriend of one of the housemates, but further details about the relationship were not immediately available.
“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,” District Attorney George Gascón said in an announcement of the charges.
This shooting has devastated the Lancaster community, and our hearts go out to the victims’ families, who are suffering from this sudden, incomprehensible loss.”
Sandoval is currently detained in the Los Angeles County Jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on January 27, 2024.
If convicted, Sandoval could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole.