Theresa Sanchez, a 42-year-old resident of Banning, California, tragically passed away on August 30, 2020. Theresa was attending a graveside memorial service at San Gorgonio Memorial Park in Banning when a shooting occurred, resulting in her death. The incident also claimed the lives of two other individuals, Felicia McCafferty, 48, and James Lara, 53, both of whom were also from Banning.
The shooting turned the memorial service into a scene of chaos and tragedy, deeply affecting the local community.
The Banning Police Department launched an immediate investigation into the shooting. They identified four suspects connected to the incident: William Armendariz, Christopher Armendariz, Melissa Armendariz, and Erica Lomas. William Armendariz was wanted for murder, while the other three suspects were charged as accessories to murder. Melissa Armendariz was arrested and booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, with a bail set at $500,000. The other suspects were awaiting extradition to California for court proceedings.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was a targeted attack, although the specific motives behind the crime were not disclosed. The police urged anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the investigation. The case drew significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the impact on the victims' families and the community. The legal proceedings against the suspects were ongoing, with the authorities working diligently to bring justice for Theresa Sanchez and the other victims.
