Rocio Sandoval, a 38-year-old resident of Rancho Cucamonga, California, tragically lost her life on February 11, 2018, after being shot in Azusa, California. The incident occurred on the night of February 9, 2018, when Sandoval and a male friend were sitting in a parked car on West McKinley Avenue. According to reports, a man approached their vehicle and, after a brief conversation, began shooting into the car.
Sandoval was struck by gunfire and succumbed to her injuries two days later at the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.
The investigation into Sandoval's death revealed that the shooter was Miguel Angel Prieto, a 43-year-old man from Long Beach. Prieto was also charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Maria Perez, in Covina on April 11, 2018. Authorities believe that Prieto was searching for his ex-wife's boyfriend on the night of February 9 and mistakenly targeted Sandoval and her friend. Prieto was arrested shortly after the Covina incident and charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He is currently being held without bail at the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles.
The case against Prieto is ongoing, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office pursuing charges for both murders. The tragic events surrounding Rocio Sandoval's death highlight the senseless violence that can arise from mistaken identity and unresolved personal conflicts. The community continues to mourn her loss as the legal proceedings unfold.
