Teen, 19, Accused of Murdering 4 Whereas They Slept and Setting Home on Fireplace to Cowl Crime

• Matthew Montebello, 21, Janvi Maquindang, 21, Christine Aca-ac, 26, and Edwin Garcia, 24, had been murdered whereas they slept inside their Lancaster, Calif. residence on Nov. 16
• Miguel Sandoval, 19, was arrested as a suspect on Nov. 21
• Sandoval appeared in court docket on Nov. 26 and was charged with six counts, together with 4 counts of homicide

An adolescent accused of killing 4 folks whereas they slept appeared in a Los Angeles court docket to face the homicide and arson costs on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Miguel Sandoval, 19, was charged with six counts, together with 4 counts of homicide, one felony depend of first-degree residential housebreaking with an individual current, and one felony depend of arson of an inhabited construction or property, based on an L.A. District Lawyer Workplace press launch.

Sandoval is accused of killing Matthew Montebello, 21, Montebello’s accomplice Janvi Maquindang, 21, Maquindang’s sister, Christine Aca-ac, 26, and Aca-ac’s fiancée Edwin Garcia, 24, inside their Lancaster, Calif. residence on Nov. 16. 

Sandoval appeared in court docket shirtless, per images obtained by The Every day Mail. Per the L.A. District Lawyer website, court docket attendees are instructed to not put on shorts, tank tops, clothes that reveals their stomachs, beachwear, flip-flops, or clothes with inappropriate phrases or indicators.

Aca-ac and Maquindang’s 16-year-old sister was unhurt after she hid within the closet and referred to as 911. The surviving member of the family was taken to the L.A. Sheriff’s workplace and mentioned she heard the gunshots round 1:27 a.m. “She stayed in her room as a result of she was scared, and that is when deputies had been capable of find her and extract her,” mentioned LASD Lt. Steve Dejong, per ABC 7.

Round 1:30 a.m., Sandoval allegedly entered and burglarized the house whereas the residents had been asleep. He then allegedly shot them and set the home on hearth to cover-up his crimes. earlier than fleeing the scene. He was later arrested on Nov. 21, per KTLA.

As soon as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s authorities arrived on the scene, Garcia, Aca-ac and Maquindang had been pronounced useless. Authorities rescued Montebello from the burning constructing, however he later succumbed to his accidents on the hospital.

At 1:45 a.m., firefighters had been dispatched to the home and extinguished the hearth by 2:30 a.m., based on a Los Angeles County Fireplace Division dispatcher, stories ABC 7.

Three canines had been additionally fatally shot, based on authorities. The motivation for the murders stays unknown, and the L.A. Sheriff’s Division’s investigation is ongoing.

Montebello’s mom Maria instructed ABC7 she acknowledged Sandoval’s title however by no means met him. Maria instructed the information station she solely knew of him as an ex-boyfriend of one of many youthful siblings in the home.

“I need him to be remembered as a sort, loving little one. Very respectful, caring, as a brother, as a mild soul, very good, very gifted,” she mentioned of her late son.

Aca-ac and Maquindang’s siblings Jasmine, Kyle and Kyleen created a GoFundMe web page to boost cash for his or her siblings’ funerals.

“The loss is overwhelming, and the ache of their absence is one thing we’re struggling to bear each day,” learn the outline. “Christine was a loving sister and a humorous, vibrant, and deeply caring pal. She was beloved by many for her infectious laughter, generosity, and talent to make everybody really feel welcome. She lit up any room she entered and all the time knew easy methods to make others smile, even on the hardest days.”

“Janvi was a brilliant and profitable younger man with a future stuffed with promise,” continued the outline. “Janvi was an unimaginable listener, all the time there when somebody wanted to speak issues by way of. His kindness, intelligence, and humorousness left an enduring impression on everybody who knew him.”

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Sandoval is being held with out bail. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 27 and will face a most sentence of life with out the potential for parole.