A young man accused of carrying out a revenge-fueled massacre in Lancaster has admitted to killing four people, then setting the victims’ home on fire in what prosecutors described as an attempt to conceal the horrific crime.
Miguel Diego Sandoval, who was 19 when the deadly attack unfolded in 2024, pleaded guilty Friday in connection with the brutal slayings.
Sandoval, now 21, admitted to four counts of first-degree murder, along with special circumstance allegations including multiple murders and lying in wait. The plea means he is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Prosecutors said Sandoval waited outside his ex-boyfriend’s residence on North Tabler Avenue on November 16 until the people inside had fallen asleep. He then forced his way into the Lancaster home and opened fire, killing Janvi Maquindang, 21, Christine Aca-ac, 25, Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 21.
“This was a calculated act of violence that left a void for the victims’ families that can never be filled. Rest assured this guilty plea will result in a lifetime prison sentence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said Friday.
Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in 2024 that the victims “were callously shot as they peacefully slept in their beds.”
After the shootings, authorities said Sandoval set the house ablaze in an effort to destroy evidence. Three dogs were also shot and killed before the fire was started, investigators said.
Prosecutors characterized the killings as an unthinkable act of retaliation after a breakup, saying Sandoval “was jilted when he broke up with his boyfriend and then did something unimaginable when he killed four innocent people.”
Authorities revealed the deadly rampage was driven by bitter vengeance following a messy romantic fallout between Sandoval and an unnamed male family member of the victims.
Inside the blaze, a terrified 16-year-old girl was trapped in a locked bedroom with flames rapidly closing in. The brave teen managed to dial 911, prompting Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies to rescue the survivor the burning building.
Montebello was rescued from the burning building and rushed to a local hospital, but died from his injuries.
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.”
Sandoval also admitted to felony counts of attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary, arson of an inhabited property, three counts of animal cruelty, and two counts of child abuse under conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
He will be sentenced on November 17 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
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