Miguel Diego Sandoval, now 21 years old, pleaded guilty Thursday to four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the killings of his ex-boyfriend's siblings and their significant others inside a Lancaster, California home last November.
Prosecutors said Sandoval waited outside the residence on the night of Nov. 16, 2024, until the occupants went to bed before breaking in around 1:30 a.m. He then fatally shot four people as they "peacefully slept in their beds" at the home located on the 44500 block of N. Tabler Avenue.
Background
Sandoval's violent rampage was allegedly fueled by anger over being dumped by his ex-boyfriend, Dillon Maquindang. However, none of the victims were Sandoval's former partner. Those killed were Janvi Maquindang, 21; Christine Aca-ac, 25; Edwin Garcia, 24; and Matthew Montebello, 21 — all siblings or significant others of Dillon Maquindang.
After shooting the four victims inside the single-family residence, Sandoval set the home on fire. Three dogs inside the house also died in the blaze.
"The defendant was jilted when he broke up with his boyfriend and then did something unimaginable when he killed four innocent people," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. "This was a calculated act of violence that left a void for the victims' families that can never be filled."
The Charges
Sandoval pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
He also admitted to one count each of attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary and arson of an inhabited structure or property; three felony counts of animal cruelty; and two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
A 16-year-old girl was inside the home during the attack. According to prosecutors, she locked herself in a bedroom and called 911 as deputies arrived to rescue her from the burning house.
"You're too pathetic to deal with your own emotions that you had to plan something as miserable as this," the teen survivor told Sandoval during Thursday's proceedings, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Dillon Maquindang also addressed the court following the plea. "You changed my life in ways I never asked for. But you did not take away my ability to live, to love and to find happiness again," he said, per the Times. "My family deserves to be remembered for who they were, not how they died."
Key Takeaways
- Miguel Diego Sandoval pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances of lying in wait and multiple murders
- The victims — Janvi Maquindang (21), Christine Aca-ac (25), Edwin Garcia (24), and Matthew Montebello (21) — were all asleep when Sandoval entered the home around 1:30 a.m.
- None of the victims were Sandoval's ex-boyfriend; they were his former partner's siblings and their significant others
- A 16-year-old survived by locking herself in a bedroom and calling 911 as the house burned
- Three dogs also died in the arson fire set after the shootings
What's Next
Sandoval is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 17, when a judge will impose a mandatory life sentence in state prison without the possibility of parole.
Separate GoFundMe pages have been established for each victim's family to assist with funeral expenses and other costs.