A man suspected of gunning down three people in the unincorporated Lake Los Angeles area south of Lancaster was charged Thursday with three counts of murder.
Axel Trevino, 32, of Lake Los Angeles, is also facing a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders, along with allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm.
He was set to be arraigned Thursday in a Lancaster courtroom.
Trevino has remained behind bars since his arrest Tuesday afternoon in connection with the shootings that occurred around 4:45 p.m. Sunday near 215th Street East and East Palmdale Boulevard, according to the sheriff’s department and jail records.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area and found three gunshot victims in two vehicles in the remote desert area. The victims were identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner as Juan Arteaga Diaz, 44; Nazario Ramirez, 54; and Beverly Cassese, 65.
According to the sheriff’s department, investigators believe Arteaga Diaz and Ramirez were in one vehicle heading west on East Avenue Q near 215th Street when Trevino — who was driving east — pulled alongside the victims’ vehicle and opened fire, striking both people numerous times.
Trevino then allegedly pulled alongside Cassese’s vehicle and opened fire again, striking her multiple times before driving away, sheriff’s officials said.
A possible motive for the shootings has not been disclosed.
Sheriff’s officials said the case remains under investigation and no other details would be released “in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation.”
News video from the scene of the killings showed a white sedan with bullet holes in the driver’s side window and a red SUV in front of a white trailer. All the vehicles were in a vacant lot strewn with tires near what appeared to be a storage lot for commercial trailers.
Anyone with information regarding the shootings was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.