The Antelope Valley Times

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Grandparents, children shot at while passing through Lancaster

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LANCASTER – A San Jose man, his wife and grandchildren were shot at early Thursday morning when they stopped in Lancaster while on a road trip to Palm Springs.

The shooting occurred just after midnight when the family stopped to rest and get something to eat at the shopping center near Avenue J and 17th Street East, according to the victim.

The victim said his wife and two grandchildren were inside the SUV when the gunman fired. Luckily, no one was injured, he said. (LUIS MEZA)
The victim said his wife and two grandchildren were inside the SUV when the gunman fired. Luckily, no one was injured, he said. (LUIS MEZA)

The victim who didn’t want to be identified said he was on foot near Stater Bros. when two young men confronted him and tried to rob him. (View his interview above.)

The victim said, as he was holding off the assailants, he saw his wife pull their vehicle into the parking lot from Del Taco.

He said he raced to his vehicle and got inside, but the assailants tried to pry the door open.

“I overpowered them and then they shot the guns right through the window,” the victim said. “I had both my grandkids in there, my wife… it’s just really unfortunate.”

The victim said the family was able to get to the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station for help.

Deputies at the station helped the family get to a local hotel, and an investigation is underway. No suspects were in custody as of Thursday morning, officials said.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

67 comments for "Grandparents, children shot at while passing through Lancaster"

  1. Maybe the details of this story don’t sound right because there is still an investigation and maybe the cops only released a few details, which is quite common people!!! Let them do their job! I have lived here over 30 years, I never go out at night anymore…..I used to drive thru a dairy at night to get milk………..and the last few times I have gone the place has squad cars in it! This town needs more Sheriffs! And Walmart, smh last time they did an undercover sting operation I just about died with the amount of arrests they made in the store. Now I never go near there, I am more likely to be a victim crime in there then in say Vons or Ralphs! No thank you.

  2. It does not matter where these people stopped. I live in this area across the street. I have alot of people out there begging for money, and up to no good. Walmart has this security car that does no security but drive around in there car. I have never seen them chase anyone away or keep it safe for customers. It is a waste of money to pay this security. Why don’t the Sheriffs put patrols on these areas and keep this area safe. I hate to say it, but where are the Sheriffs when you need them. Why would you have to go to them when they should of been there to help. I see someone being pulled over, and 3-4 Sheriffs car are there for a traffic stop. We need more patrol cars around the bad areas. We also need to clean up area of these hoodlums. And yes, put a curfue here, like we had when we were young. You had to be in by 10:00 p.m, if you were under age. Where are these kids parents at? Maybe they should arrest the for child neglect.

  3. Okay perhaps they are familiar with the route who is to say that they have not possibly lived in the av and are familiar with the route.the area the shopping centers the way to the cop shop????

  4. Seems to be a drug deal gone bad, to catch the 138 its smart to get off ave s what r they doing in east Lancaster to get the 138

  5. The same happen the night before to some relatives they bought Jack n d box n park to eat them before returning home n they got robbed by gun point n no one did nothing they call d cop’s after they left!

  6. I have lived on the east side of Lancaster since 1955. I do avoid the parking areas of 20th Street East and Avenue J, after the sun goes down. Both Stater Brothers and Wal-Mart parking lots are very dangerous after dark.

  8. All of you borrowing jacks’, talking about all of the small details, and trying to find something nefarious about the driver and his family. Sad commentary about this community.

  9. What difference does it make where they came from, how they got into the A.V., or where they’re going?

    The problem is the riff raff living up here with nothing to do but commit crimes. We need a 10 pm curfew and if you’re on the street, you’d better be going somewhere. Also, no clusters of people, no more than 2. There has to be rules and the LASD needs to enforce it! Remember, deportation is for every nationality!!!!

  10. Before you post, check your facts please. Taco Bell, McDonalds, Wells Fargo and Stater brothers all share the same parking lot on the south west corner of ave J and 20th St.east. Stater Bros is open till midnight. It is quite possible the grandfather walked over to Stater Bros while his wife went through the drive through at Taco Bell.
    If someone knew the area then they might take Ave J throught town knowing that they could find food and open stores. Then take ave J to 240th st. to El Mirage ange continue there trip.
    They are not the criminals, Why question why they took the route they did? Take care of the criminal population in that area and stop the crimes.

    • Also, Del Taco is just across the street in the WalMart parking lot and the story does state his wife pulled into the parking lot from Del Taco. So makes sense.

      I live around the corner.

    • Stater Bros closes at 11pm, I just called to confirm.

      I don’t think anyone is blaming the victim, but there seems to be something off about the whole story. The fact that they didn’t call 911 but drove to the sheriff station is odd as well. If they don’t know the area, they would have had to at least Google it and then use GPS to get to it. Seems a rather strange thing to do.

      • I have been a similar situation and getting out of the area and driving while spouse gets directions to police station is better then sitting around waiting for a cop to show up…. You feel like the perps can return to finish what they started so moving towards guaranteed safety is better then driving off away from crime scene and pulling over to wait…. They could have called 911 and were directed to continue since they were pretty close already….. The press never has every detail….

  11. They were traveling from San Jose to Palm Springs. Having drove from northern California to Lancaster and Palm Springs SEVERAL times myself I can say that you have to get off of the 5 and go through Lancaster via the 138 to get to Palm Springs (the fast way, if you know where you’re going). I’m sure Lancaster was a halfway point anyway because the drive from San Jose to Lancaster is about 6 hours, then to Palm Springs from Lancaster is roughly another 4. So, he probably didn’t know the Lancaster area. It probably looked like a small little city that he felt safe in. You guys are assuming off of ignorance. If you got out of the Lancaster area a little more it would make more sense to you. This poor family could have lost their lives just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t do drugs but as far as the “drug deal gone wrong” claims go, with a 10 hour drive from NoCal to SoCal I’m sure Lancaster is the last place I would stop to get the good stuff. Common sense! Pray more, assume less!

  12. Too bad we dont have reform schools to teach the young thugs respect and to get along in this world teach them to be industrious . God bless and keep these people safe. Close call is sometimes a teacher. Hope we could be a more loving society.

  13. Wow, I can see the Junior Detective League is out in force on this one. Well, here is a clue for all the wanna be gumshoes.

    The criminals more than likely came from one of the three apartment complexes behind the Stater Bros. Looking at you Park Circle Apartments!

    • Everyone knows that the criminals came from that area othe others near there. For whatever reason the man and the family were seperated its sad that this is happening in our community. You can only say the later in the area the worse we all know it gets. Not even walmart during the day is so great either, which is driving others to much farther shopping areas.

  14. I’m sorry but something is off on that story. Why is he out of the car on foot in a closed parking lot. Nothing at that time is open. And why is his wife across the street in a different parking lot. And if they were just stopping to get some food and rest why are they not closer to the freeway or Palmdale. They are on there way to palmsprings. I don’t live very far from that area and it’s not the best but it also not that dangerous. It is a drug area though. It sounds more like a drug deal gone wrong to me then just a random act of violence. I’m just saying.

    • His wife was by the Del Taco drive thru, maybe waiting for him to use the Wells Fargo ATM directly across the street. Then thieves watching the ATM jumped him after using it. What closed parking lot are you talking about? How is Palmdale any safer then Lancaster at that time of night. If he’s from San Jose how would he know with city, or which offramp, or which way to turn, to get cash and food? Maybe it all looks random because it was.

      • After Midnight, I don’t use any walk up ATM’s and I know stater Bro’s closes at what 11pm. All I can say is NOPE what do you need cash for at that time of the night. Gas stations take WF ATM cards, infact most places do as they act like a visa, its very rare you see just an ATM card anymore.

      • No, you did not nail it. Look up the route from San Jose to Palm Springs. It will make perfect sense. Once you reach Lancaster from the 5 you get off the freeway and get on the 138. That’s why they weren’t near the freeway.

          • Wow, have you guys ever left the Valley? Ever?

            You take J out to 100 whatever it is, take that through Lake LA, and it spits you out on the 138. From there, its a short hop to the 15. It is a common route that many people take all the time.

          • Dan, just an FYI there are two 138’s One north of AVE A between the I5 and the 14 and one south by Pearblossom.

          • It’s been pointed out by several helpful people that there are 2 SR138s. One in Palmdale and 1 in Lancaster.

            For a grand total of 276.

            You’re welcome.

  15. I guess no one told them what a sewer the AV is. The Antelope Valley: A great place to drive through-no stopping!

  16. Before y’all get your panties in a bunch, I’m not blaming the alleged victims but something seems odd about the account they gave and I’m not certain why I feel that way. I’m not insinuating that they fabricated the whole thing but perhaps details were omitted or modified for reasons unknown.

  17. I am not surprised At All. Last month I was walking out of my dads house to my car parked right in front of his house (He lives off of j5 & on sundew way) and i was attacked and robbed, right in front of the house! I was fortunate that none on the 3 attackers had a weapon! And for anyone who chooses to judge….I don’t care where you are or what time you are there, you should not have to worry about stupid punks trying to rob or attack you!

  18. Who cares what they were doing or where they were going it most certainly doesn’t mean they deserved to be robbed. There’s a McDonald’s and taco bell in that parking lot… which on that note the drive thru of taco bell is the perfect place to corner and rob someone. 30 mins before 3 people were robbed in the parking lot of del taco by 2 men and then this happened. We should all be able to park and stretch wherever we damn well please without being robbed at gun point. I hope they find these 2 and nail their thieving behinds with attempted murder to. I hope u 2 ass hats are reading these comments…. Man up and get some real jobs and provide for yourselves and maybe your mama’s to.. since they’re clearly some lazy asses raising kids with no morals.

  19. Always make sure you have a taser in Lancaster or Palmdale. If you happen to be past avenue L in Lancaster you must be on FULL alert!Especially on Lancaster BLV. It is not safe there either. I have had druggies come ask me for money and not leave, people hovering around you as if they are casing you out,deciding if they want to rob you. Lancaster station is right on the corner for a reason people!

    • The Blvd aint dangerous the stations right there lol and if it is dangerous the cops are a joke cause there right there amd still cant responed in time AV SHERIFFS ARE SOME [removed] THATS WHY THEY GOT INVESTIGATED BY LA detectives because there dirty cops out here and.most likely they will delete my.comment but idc Eff these cops i hate them and they can [removed]

  20. It seems odd that they would split up at midnight. Del Taco is across the street from Stater Bros, not all that close. Not to mention Stater Bros is closed at that time. Why would someone be walking around a closed shopping center?

    • Obviously they live in a nicer town than this one and not aware of the crime here. It was a bad move for all concerned.

    • Ever been on a long drive? Chances are, the guy wanted to stretch his legs. Also, seeing how he has grandkids, its pretty safe to assume he’s no “spring chicken.” And our joints hurt a bit more than the average kid.

      • Yet he claims to have overpowered the 2 teenagers. He said in the video he was coming from Stater Bros. I called Stater Bros and they close at 11pm, so the store wasn’t even open.

    • Mcdonalds is on the same side as stater bros. So is taco bell. On the side with del taco is jack in the box, walmart, a gas station… kfc… in regards to the open locations, there’s nothing odd. It’s something else that seems off

  21. The AV is getting worse. We need concealed carry for law abiding citizens. It’s gotten so we can’t go out and be safe, day and especially night.
    Women…wear shoes that you can run in, not high heels.
    Don’t wear real jewelery. Wear costume.
    Wear a purse with a strap for across the body.
    Get pepper spray from a gun shop.
    Don’t be on your cell phone.
    When you get in your car, lock your doors. Don’t wait for auto locks.
    Scream loudly and blast your horn.

  22. How the [removed] do you get to the east side going to Palm Springs.. Sounds like something else was planned & went down. They deserved whatever happened especially if they go to a “unfamiliar” city. Not much to do on foot at Midnight.

  23. something a bit off about this story, also the fact that the victims are still in town shouldnt be shared with the public. it doesnt seem like the safest info to publish. could have done a better job writting this one. better luck next time. also glad they are ok. visitors avoid lancaster at all costs. its not what it used to be. i grew up there so i know i dont want to raise my children there. evryone is trying to leave lancaster it seems. cant say i blame them.

  25. They are from out of town, and don’t know where things are. Maybe they thought they would be able to connect with the 15.
    I always tell people not to stop in Lancaster or the AV, unless they absolutely have to.
    I hope this family is okay and on their way to Palm Springs.

  26. Why would you let everyone know that the people are still in the area??? Staying at a hotel. Some things don’t need to be published for all to see.

    • Duh… Of course they’re still in town. If someone shoots out your window in a town, you stick around for the investigation. That should be self explanatory. It’s not like it’s some big reveal or anything. Get a grip!

  27. Why would you let everyone know that the people are still in the area??? Staying at a hotel.

  28. Something not quite right about this story.Why would he be at 17th east if he were just driving through town?

    • Does seem strange, they are way off the path of the freeway. Even to get some rest and food. The west side was closer, then to drive all the way down J. Maybe they used to live in the A.V. I moved out of Lancaster a year ago, and so glad I did. The Valley has been ruined. Thanks to all the big shot political people there.

    • @sikntired – I thought so too, but without having more facts, here is a rational explanation;

      While it may seem off the beaten path to be in the area of 17th Street East / Ave J for a person traveling to Palm Springs – Remember that Ave J is also known as ‘County Route 5’ or simply “N5” – And is designated as a major east/west thoroughfare and truck route – It makes perfect sense (especially if they were using a GPS) that they were routed off onto Ave J from the 14 fwy and headed to the 138 via the back way (down Ave J to 170th St East) – That’s logical – They don’t know the area and whip in to grab some food – Could there be more to the story? Maybe – But as for being on that part of Ave J – Makes perfect sense – Odd that they drove to the Sheriff’s station instead of calling 911…??? Who knows – This town is the wild west again. As for people blaming law enforcement – Can’t use them as a scapegoat anymore – Last time they had this town cleaned up, Al Sharpton and the DOJ paraded into town for ‘justice’ – Well if this is the end result of justice, I say we all better stock up on ammo and bullet proof vests – There is a new breed of thug out there – They’re younger and more dangerous than ever – Much like a young rattlesnake, they strike often and can’t control their venom – Forget tazers – Arm yourself – Tazers don’t block bullets and are no match for a 14 year old thug with a gun …

      • stay off the streets at night unless you have business in the hood…and don’t act all afraid of these jumped up punks trying to earn a stripe …these wanna-be thug life rejects are to punk to face the big fish in L.A.
        so they come out to the land of rare water and act like scarface!….please
        I laugh at the fake gangsters…go see you’re kids and quite with the front all you “hard” thugs ….just try that stuff on 5th East and K and get sewed up !

      • It is interesting that they were over there however when you get shot at you drive to sheriff station because you don’t know what to do and if you stay where you are they might come back. So always drive to a police station because they wont want to follow you (and maybe call 911 on the way) My husband and I got shot at on a hike in far north Rosamond by some crazy people. When we were able to get to the car I drive straight to the police station. I was afraid they would follow us to finish the job.

  29. I agree with you 100% these lowlife idiots have nothing better to do and have no respect they don’t know the meaning if get a Dam job and earn your .I met the honest way instead they go as far as shooting people and with babies in the car at that smh! I can almost bet my life in it these punks are from tge ghetto as a parties apartments just down. The street to his us to crazy c ops can’t find idiots maybe. Because they are to worried as but finding petty thieves that still from Walmart instead lol thank God yh r see people were okay and no one was hurt hope they catch these dam stupid add punks

  30. So sad.. I hate going into Lancaster for anything.. Glad this family is safe… This town as we have all read is the worst town to be in… So sad….

  32. Theze hoodlums are turning or town into trash… visiters Beware. …sorry this happened to your family need to take the Trash out the AV..