Family members of one of the four young victims of a deadly mass shooting and arson in Lancaster earlier this month are mourning their loss and, at the same time, celebrating the 21 years they had with their loved one.
Matthew Montebello, a talented musician who was studying medicine, was among three other victims - Edwin Garcia, as well as siblings Christine Aca-ac and Janvi Maquindang - allegedly shot and killed by a housemate's scorned ex-boyfriend, 19-year-old Miguel Sandoval, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The violence unfolded on Nov. 16, with deputies responding to a home in the 44500 block of Tabler Avenue in Lancaster just before 1:30 a.m. on reports of a shooting.
The home was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke when first responders arrived at the home.
Crews with the L.A. County Fire Department were able to get the blaze under control and discovered five victims, three of whom suffered gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene. Another victim who also suffered gunshot wounds died at the hospital.
The fifth victim, the 16-year-old sister of Aca-ac and Maquindang, was physically uninjured. She hid in a closet during the incident and called 911.
Investigators initially believed the young adults had been having a party, but now say the alleged 19-year-old gunman came into the home while everyone was sleeping.
Authorities said that Sandoval fled the home after the shooting and was arrested hours later.
Celeste Montebello, Matthew's mother, said they had just celebrated the 21-year-old's birthday six days before the tragic incident.
"The house is a safe place for us, supposedly, and for someone to go there and do this to him while they were sleeping, it hurts," she told KTLA's Jennifer McGraw.
Just one year apart, Matthew's brother Andrew said they were best friends and that the pain is unimaginable.
"Parts of me have died or are dying," he said. "I don't think I'm ever going to be the same."
Andrew said that Matthew was an origami master, a math whiz, highly creative and had garnered many accolades, even as a child.
"Full of personality, very smart, very quirky," Celeste added.
While trying to navigate the unbearable pain of the loss of Matthew, Celeste and Andrew said they had one last message for the person who took away their family member.
"I want this evil man to know that you failed, he didn't succeed in doing this," Celeste told KTLA.
She added that while Matthew is gone, he will live on in others. Her son's kidneys are going to one of her friends to try and save her life.
"It means I can see my friend every day, God willing, if the surgeries are successful," she said.
GoFundMe campaigns for the families of Matthew Montebello, Edwin Garcia and siblings Christine Aca-ac and Janvi Maquindang have been organized to help with the costs of laying their loved ones to rest.
The case is scheduled to be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration on Nov. 25.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call LASD's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.