A California man pleaded guilty to killing four people and three dogs inside a Lancaster home after prosecutors said he sought revenge following the end of a relationship. Miguel Diego Sandoval waited until the occupants were asleep on Nov. 16, 2024, before entering the North Tabler Avenue residence and opening fire. He then set the home ablaze and fled, prosecutors said. Sandoval faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 17.
The victims were Janvi Maquindang, 21, Christine Aca-ac, 25, Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 21. A 16-year-old trapped inside the burning home called 911 from a locked bedroom and was rescued by responding Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies.
| 1) | Relationship breakup preceded the attack |
| 2) | Nighttime shooting and house fire |
| 3) | Four victims and three dogs killed |
| 4) | Guilty plea and criminal charges |
| 5) | Families remember lives cut short |
Relationship breakup preceded the attack
Sandoval, 21, was accused of targeting the family after his relationship with Christine Aca-ac and her brother ended. Prosecutors said the breakup motivated him to seek revenge. He waited outside the Lancaster residence until the occupants had gone to bed, a detail that led to a special-circumstance allegation that the killings were committed by lying in wait.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman characterized the attack as a calculated act of violence. He said the guilty plea would result in a lifetime prison sentence, leaving Sandoval unable to return to the community.
“The defendant was jilted when he broke up with his boyfriend and then did something unimaginable when he killed four innocent people,” Hochman said.
Nighttime shooting and house fire
According to prosecutors, Sandoval entered the North Tabler Avenue home in Lancaster, California, during the early hours of Nov. 16, 2024, after watching for the occupants to fall asleep. He opened fire inside the residence, killing four people, and then ignited a fire before leaving the scene.
The emergency response included a call from a 16-year-old victim who was trapped in a locked bedroom. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the burning property and rescued the teenager. The fire destroyed the home, adding the loss of housing to the family’s grief and recovery needs.
Four victims and three dogs killed
The people killed were Maquindang, Aca-ac, Garcia and Montebello. The three dogs belonging to the family also died in the attack and fire. Prosecutors filed three felony animal cruelty counts in connection with the animals’ deaths.
Family fundraising accounts described the victims as young people with close relationships and clear ambitions. Aca-ac and Garcia were engaged and planning a future together. Maquindang was remembered as a high-achieving graduate and a role model for younger siblings. Montebello had turned 21 only days before the shooting and was described by his family as curious, talented and committed to learning.
Guilty plea and criminal charges
Sandoval pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder. The plea included special-circumstance allegations involving multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. He also admitted charges of attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary and arson of an inhabited structure or property.
In addition, Sandoval admitted two counts of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. The plea means he will not be eligible for release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 17 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center Superior Court in Los Angeles.
Families remember lives cut short
Relatives used fundraising campaigns to describe the personal losses and the practical challenges that followed the killings. Aca-ac was remembered as a caring older sister who served as a guardian and protector to younger siblings. Those siblings escaped the attack physically unharmed but lost family members and their home.
Garcia’s mother, Yemi Olivares, said her son hoped to become an educator in academics and music, marry and raise a family. Montebello’s older brother, Andrew Montebello, described him as someone who pursued new skills until mastering them. The fundraising efforts sought support for housing, education and rebuilding after the fire.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sandoval pleaded guilty to four first-degree murder counts. |
| 2 | The shootings occurred inside a Lancaster home on Nov. 16, 2024. |
| 3 | Four people and three dogs died, while a 16-year-old was rescued. |
| 4 | He faces life without parole and sentencing is set for Nov. 17. |
Summary
The guilty plea resolves the criminal case against Sandoval for a planned attack that prosecutors linked to a relationship breakup. The case involved four killings, the deaths of three family dogs, a residential fire and the rescue of a teenager. Sandoval’s scheduled sentencing is expected to impose life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Lancaster attack?
The victims were Janvi Maquindang, Christine Aca-ac, Edwin Garcia and Matthew Montebello.
What happened after the shooting?
Prosecutors said Sandoval set the home on fire and fled. A 16-year-old called 911 from inside, and sheriff’s deputies rescued the teenager.
What sentence does Sandoval face?
He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 17 at a Los Angeles superior court.