Arrests made in Mojave Desert mass murder.
The brutal slaying of six men at a remote dirt crossroads in San Bernardino County likely stemmed from a dispute over marijuana; investigators revealed on Monday in their first update since last week’s shocking discovery.
This is a developing story.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Press Release
UPDATE: Investigators Arrest Five Suspects in the Homicide of Six Men in the Rural Desert Area Outside of Adelanto
DATE/TIME: January 23, 2024, 8:16 p.m.
INCIDENT: Homicide Investigation
LOCATION: Lessing Avenue and Shadow Mountain Road, Unincorporated area of Adelanto, CA
SUSPECT(S): Toniel Baez-Duarte, 34-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Apple Valley
Mateo Baez-Duarte, 24-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Apple Valley
Jose Nicolas Hernandez-Sarabia, 33-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Adelanto
Jose Gregorio Hernandez-Sarabia, 34-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Adelanto
Jose Manuel Burgos Parra, 26-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Adelanto
VICTIM(S): Baldemar Mondragon-Albarran, 34-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Adelanto
Franklin Noel Bonilla, 22-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Hesperia
Kevin Dariel Bonilla, 25-year-old Hispanic Male, Resident of Hesperia
45-year-old Hispanic Male – Release of Identity Pending Next of Kin Notification
Unidentified Hispanic Male Adult
Unidentified Hispanic Male Adult
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at approximately 8:16 p.m., Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call from Franklin Noel Bonilla. Franklin stated he had been shot but was unable to give his location. Sheriff’s Dispatch determined the call was made from the area of Lessing Avenue and Shadow Mountain Road in the unincorporated area of Adelanto. Sheriff’s personnel immediately responded and upon arrival, five deceased individuals were located. A short time later, Franklin was located deceased nearby.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail, responded and assumed the investigation. It was determined the six victims had been shot. Additionally, four of the victims were partially burned. Through extensive investigation, investigators determined the victims had arranged to meet at the location for a marijuana transaction. Five subjects, identified as Toniel Baez-Duarte, Mateo Baez-Duarte, Jose Nicolas Hernandez Sarabia, Jose Gregorio Hernandez Sarabia, and Jose Manuel Burgos Parra, arrived at the location and for reasons still under investigation shot the six victims. Multiple search warrants were served during the investigation, several firearms and additional evidence was located.
On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the suspects were located and arrested. All suspects were booked for PC 187-Murder and are being held without bail.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Michelle Del Rio, Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective Michelle Del Rio or Sergeant Michael Warrick
Station: Specialized Investigations Division
Phone No. (909) 890-4904
Case No. DR# 072400318 / H#2024-005
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department