A 32-year-old L.A. County man, previously described as a person of interest by investigators, was arrested today in connection with a triple murder over the weekend in the Antelope Valley.
The Aug. 17 violence unfolded in Lake Los Angeles, a remote unincorporated area approximately 20 miles from Palmdale, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department who responded to the area on reports of multiple gunshots fired just before 5 p.m.
Homicide bureau detectives say the victims, Juan Arteaga-Diaz, Nazario Ramirez and Beverly Cassese, were traveling in two separate vehicles westbound on East Avenue Q from 215th Street East when they encountered Axel Trevino, a Lake Los Angeles resident, who was driving eastbound.
The 32-year-old reportedly stopped his vehicle adjacent to an SUV that Arteaga-Diaz and Ramirez were in, pulled a gun on the men shot them both multiple times before pulling alongside Cassese’s vehicle and firing on her multiple.
After the assaults, Trevino fled the area in his vehicle, leaving behind a gruesome scene for responding deputies.
Authorities initially located the female victim, believed to be in her 40’s, and attempted to render aid, though she was ultimately declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel with the L.A. County Fire Department.
“Simultaneously, deputies located an SUV that had a trailer attached to it and located two additional males suffering from gunshot wounds. They were pronounced deceased on scene as well,” LASD Lt. Dejong said.
On Tuesday, investigators released photos of Trevino and his vehicle, a 2021 Nissan Altima. That evening, the 32-year-old was located and taken into custody, LASD said.
The motive for the shooting is currently unknown nor is it clear if Trevino knew the victims, though investigators stated that additional details are being withheld “to maintain the integrity of the investigation.”
Approximately 12 miles south of Lake Los Angeles, in the area of El Mirage, six people were found shot to death in and around a dark-colored SUV riddled with bullet holes. Investigators believed that the massacre was likely related to a dispute over illegal marijuana.
While the investigation remains ongoing, Trevino remains in custody on $2 million. Authorities added that the case will be referred to the L.A. County DA’s Office on Thursday.
Anyone with information about the triple homicide is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go to the lacrimestoppers.org website.
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