A California teenager appeared shirtless in court and was charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend and three others in her rental home, which he then set on fire.
Miguel Sandoval, 19, is charged with the murders of Matthew Montebello, 21; his partner Janvi Maquindang, 21; his sister, Christine Aca-ac, 26; and her fiancé Edwin Garcia, 24, at their Lancaster home on Nov. 16.
He allegedly entered the house while everyone was sleeping and fled the scene after the shooting, but was arrested several hours later. KTLA reports.
An unidentified 16-year-old sister of Aca-ac and Maquindang was unharmed after she hid in the closet and called 911.
When Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene around 1:30 a.m., they found the house in flames.
Five gunshot victims were found inside, three of whom were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.
Police allege Sandoval also shot and killed three dogs during the horrific attack.
The motivation for the gruesome murder is unclear, but Matthew Montebello’s mother is unclear told KABC she knew Sandoval as the scorned ex-boyfriend of one of the younger siblings who lived in the house.
Miguel Sandoval, 19, appeared shirtless in court and was charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend and three others in her rental home, which he then set on fire
He allegedly entered the house while everyone was sleeping and fled the scene after the shooting, but was arrested several hours later
Sandoval was taken into custody by the LASD, but was not charged in connection with the gruesome scene until Monday.
Montebello’s family says they are now struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, with his mother, Celeste, noting that they had just celebrated the 21-year-old’s birthday six days earlier.
“The house is supposedly a safe place for us, and if someone goes there and does this to him while he’s sleeping, it hurts,” she said.
Matthew’s brother, Andrew, also said they were best friends and called the pain “unimaginable.”
“Parts of me have died or are still dying,” he told KTLA. “I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”
He described his brother as an origami master and a math expert who was very creative and earned many awards, even as a child.
Montebello, the one taken to a hospital after the shooting, was also described in one online fundraiser as a ‘great brother and loving son, who always thought about his own family and put time aside despite their distance.
‘He was a great artist and musician, who could convey his reality and memories through his art.’
Christine Aca-ac and her partner Edwin Garcia (pictured together) were shot dead last week, along with her brother and her brothers’ fiancé, in a horror mass shooting in Lancaster, California
Christine’s brother Janvi Maquindang and his fiancée Matthew Montebello (pictured together) were also killed in the attack, along with the family’s three dogs
It was noted that while in the hospital, Montebello remained in a vegetative state for a while because his kidneys were donated to one of his mother’s friends.
“I want him to be remembered as a kind, loving child,” Celeste told KABC. ‘Very respectful, caring, like a brother, like a gentle soul, very smart, very talented.’
She noted that the housemates enjoyed making music together.
“That’s how they interacted. They tried to be creative,” she said.
Edwin’s family also described him as a “pillar of joy and happiness,” who had “great ambitions to pursue a career as a teacher, both in academics and music.”
Meanwhile, in a GoFundMe founded to help the family of Aca-ac and Maquindang, a family member said the “loss is overwhelming, and the pain of their absence is something we struggle to bear every day.”
Sandoval allegedly set the house on fire and fled before being arrested hours later
It said Christine was the legal guardian of two of her younger siblings, and “a loving sister and a funny, lively and very caring friend.”
“She was loved by many for her infectious laugh, generosity and her ability to make everyone feel welcome,” it said, and as legal guardian “she dedicated her life to raising them in a loving, stable family.”
Janvi was also praised as a “smart and successful” young man who graduated as valedictorian of his high school class.
They said he was also a “special soul” to the two young siblings for whom Christine was legal guardian, who are now “left without their protector and guiding force.”
Now Celeste and Andrew say they have one last message for Sandoval.
“I want this evil man to know that you failed,” Celeste said. “He didn’t succeed.”