A California teenager has been charged with creeping into his ex’s home to gun down four people while they slept, then torching the house to hide the heinous murders.
Miguel Sandoval, 19, appeared in court shirtless this week after being hit with charges that could see him convicted to life behind bars without the chance of parole.
His charges include four counts of murder for the shooting death of Matthew Montebello, 21, Montebello’s boyfriend Janvi Maquindang, 21, Maquindang’s sister, Christine Aca-ac, 26, and Aca-ac’s fiancée Edwin Garcia, 24, on Nov. 16, according to the L.A. District Attorney’s Office.
He broke into the Lancaster home and waited for the right time to kill the victims, who “were callously shot as they peacefully slept in their beds,” DA George Gascón said.
Aca-ac and Maquindang’s terrified 16-year-old sister was also home — but hid in a closet and called 911 when she heard gunshots around 1:30 a.m., officials said.
Three dogs were also shot dead before Sandoval “set fire to the house to cover up the crimes,” the DA’s office alleged.
LA County Sheriff’s deputies rushed to the home and found Garcia, Aca-ac and Maquindang dead and the house engulfed in flames, KTLA reported.
Montebello was rescued from the burning building and rushed to a local hospital, but died from his injuries. The 16-year-old girl was also pulled from the house unharmed.
A motive for the quadruple murder remains under investigation, officials said.
However, Montebello’s mother, Maria, told ABC7 she recognized Sandoval as an ex-boyfriend of one of the younger siblings who lived at the home, but said she had never met him. It was not clear if the ex was one of those murdered.
Montebello had just recently celebrated his 21st birthday, and had dinner with his mother the night before he was killed.
“I want him to be remembered as a kind, loving child. Very respectful, caring, as a brother, as a gentle soul, very smart, very talented,” she said. “Him and his friends were making music… that’s how they hung out. They tried to be creative.”
Aca-ac and Maquindang’s siblings Jasmine, Kyle and Kyleen launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for their siblings’ funerals.
“The loss is overwhelming, and the pain of their absence is something we are struggling to bear every day,” the siblings wrote.
“Christine was a loving sister and a funny, vibrant, and deeply caring friend. She was loved by many for her infectious laughter, generosity, and ability to make everyone feel welcome,” the page says.
High school valedictorian Janvi was already successful and “making his mark on the world.”
“His kindness, intelligence, and sense of humor left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. To his younger siblings, Janvi was a special soul, someone they looked up to and could count on.”
Sandoval was arrested on Nov. 21, KTLA reported. He is charged with four counts of murder, burglary, arson and other related charges.
He is currently being held without bail awaiting his arraignment, scheduled for Jan. 27 in Lancaster.
