A California teenager, Miguel Sandoval, 19, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday, Nov. 26, facing multiple charges, including four counts of murder and arson, in connection with the horrific deaths of four individuals who were killed while they slept in their Lancaster home on Nov. 16.
Victims Identified
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Matthew Montebello, 21
- Janvi Maquindang, 21
- Christine Aca-ac, 26
- Edwin Garcia, 24
Montebello’s mother, Maria, described her son as a kind and loving individual with a “gentle soul.” Aca-ac and Maquindang’s siblings created a GoFundMe page to honor their loved ones, describing the loss as “overwhelming.”
Three dogs were also fatally shot in the incident.
Details of the Crime
Police say Sandoval entered the home around 1:30 a.m., while the victims were asleep, and allegedly shot them. He then reportedly set the house on fire to cover his tracks.
A 16-year-old girl, identified as Maquindang and Aca-ac’s sister, survived by hiding in a closet and calling 911. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Steve Dejong explained, “She stayed in her room because she was scared, and that’s when deputies were able to locate her and extract her.”
Timeline of the Incident
- 1:27 a.m.: The surviving teen hears gunshots.
- 1:30 a.m.: Sandoval allegedly sets the house on fire.
- 1:45 a.m.: Firefighters respond to the blaze.
- 2:30 a.m.: The fire is extinguished.
Upon arrival, deputies found Garcia, Aca-ac, and Maquindang dead inside. Montebello was rescued from the burning building but succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Suspect’s Arrest
Sandoval was arrested on Nov. 21 after being identified as the suspect. Authorities revealed that he has a connection to the victims, as Maria Montebello recognized Sandoval as the ex-boyfriend of one of the younger siblings in the household.
Sandoval faces charges of:
- Four counts of murder
- One count of first-degree residential burglary with a person present
- One count of arson of an inhabited structure
He is being held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 27. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive for the crime remains unclear, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate.
Community Mourning
A GoFundMe campaign created by Aca-ac and Maquindang’s siblings seeks to raise funds for funeral expenses. The description remembers the victims as kind, vibrant individuals who brought light and joy to everyone they knew.
“The loss is overwhelming, and the pain of their absence is something we are struggling to bear every day,” reads the page.
The devastating incident has left the Lancaster community grieving and seeking justice for the victims.
