A quiet stretch of desert road in Northeast Antelope Valley turned into the scene of a deadly ambush this month, leaving three people shot to death and a Lake Los Angeles man facing the possibility of life in prison.
Prosecutors on Friday charged 32-year-old Axel Trevino with three counts of murder in connection with the Aug. 17 shootings, which claimed the lives of Juan Arteaga-Diaz, Nazario Ramirez and Beverly Cassese. He is also accused of personally discharging a firearm during the attack and faces special circumstance allegations of committing multiple murders. If convicted as charged, Trevino faces a minimum sentence of life in prison.
“This was a ruthless and violent attack that claimed three lives in broad daylight,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in announcing the charges. “All members of our community, in any part of our county, rural or urban, should feel protected from this kind of deadly violence. My office is committed to ensuring accountability and protecting the safety of residents across Los Angeles County. We stand with the victims’ loved ones as they seek justice.”
Authorities say the violence unfolded just before 5 p.m. along East Avenue Q and 215th Street East, a remote area of Lake Los Angeles about 20 miles from Palmdale. Investigators allege Trevino stopped his vehicle alongside an SUV occupied by Arteaga-Diaz and Ramirez, pulled a gun and fired multiple rounds at the men. Moments later, he allegedly pulled alongside Cassese’s vehicle and opened fire, striking her as she drove.
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrived to find a tragic scene.
Cassese, believed to be in her 40s, was discovered in her car and pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. A short distance away, deputies located the SUV with a trailer attached and found Arteaga-Diaz and Ramirez inside, both suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
Trevino fled before deputies arrived, investigators said. Two days later, on Aug. 19, authorities released his photo along with images of a 2021 Nissan Altima believed to be connected to the crime. That evening, he was taken into custody.
The motive for the killings has not been released, and officials have not said whether Trevino knew the victims. Investigators said certain details are being withheld “to maintain the integrity of the investigation.”
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Keri Knittel of the Antelope Valley Branch. Trevino was arraigned Friday in Antelope Valley Courthouse and is being held without bail.
A conviction on all counts would carry a minimum penalty of life in prison.
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