On January 23, 2024, 47-year-old Narcisco Sandoval was found deceased in a remote desert area near Adelanto, California. He was among six victims discovered at the scene, all of whom had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Four of the victims, including Sandoval, were also partially burned.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call from one of the victims, 22-year-old Franklin Noel Bonilla, who reported being shot but was unable to provide his exact location. Utilizing phone tracking technology, deputies located the crime scene near Lessing Avenue and Shadow Mountain Road in the unincorporated area of Adelanto. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of five individuals; Bonilla's body was found shortly thereafter.
Investigations revealed that the victims had arranged to meet at the location for a marijuana transaction. During the meeting, five suspects arrived and, for reasons still under investigation, opened fire on the victims. The suspects were identified as:
- **Toniel Baez-Duarte**, 34, of Apple Valley
- **Mateo Baez-Duarte**, 24, of Apple Valley
- **Jose Nicolas Hernandez-Sarabia**, 33, of Adelanto
- **Jose Gregorio Hernandez-Sarabia**, 34, of Adelanto
- **Jose Manuel Burgos Parra**, 26, of Adelanto
On January 28, 2024, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants in Apple Valley, Adelanto, and Pinon Hills, leading to the arrest of all five suspects. They were each charged with six felony counts of murder, with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, and six felony counts of robbery. Additionally, four of the suspects faced special allegations of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. All suspects are being held without bail.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney emphasized that this mass murder highlights the violence associated with illegal marijuana operations in the region. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges as more evidence emerges.
