ADELANTO, Calif. – An investigation is underway after the discovery of six people shot to death in a remote desert area in the community of El Mirage, located about 15 miles north of Adelanto and 20 miles north of Victorville. The bodies were found when deputies responded to a welfare check off Highway 395 between Lake Los Angeles and Adelanto, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez. The circumstances around the deaths remain unconfirmed, but the bodies of multiple bloodied victims were found, with evidence markers and bullet casings surrounding them. Some of the bodies appeared to have been burned, and officials have not yet confirmed the sex or age of the victims.
Officials originally thought there were five victims, but a sixth body was discovered during the investigation. A news report stated that the victims had been fatally shot, with two vehicles at the crime scene showing signs of damage. A dark-colored SUV was riddled with bullet holes and had some blown-out windows, while a light-colored van was also present but it was unclear whether it sustained any damage. Additionally, a sheriff’s department helicopter arrived at the scene and began circling after temporarily landing.
The remote desert area where the bodies were located is described as incredibly desolate, according to KTLA reporter Annie Rose Ramos. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the identities of the victims and gather evidence at the scene. No further details about the incident or the potential suspects have been released at this time.