The Antelope Valley Times

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Grandmother killed, mother injured in Palmdale double-stabbing [updated]

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PALMDALE – A 29-year-old man stabbed his grandmother to death Thursday afternoon in an attack that also left his mother wounded, authorities said.

It happened around 3:29 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in the 37000 block of Springfield Street in Palmdale, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Deputies from Palmdale Station responded to a 911 call of an ‘assault just occurred’,” the news release states. “While en route to the call, they saw a male Hispanic adult walking down the street who appeared to be covered in blood.”

The man, identified by authorities as Richard Flores, told deputies that he was involved in the incident they were responding to, according to the news release.

As the deputies arrived at the location, they made contact with the surviving victim, the suspect’s mother, who had visible trauma to her upper body. The suspect’s mother took the deputies inside the residence to the suspect’s grandmother, who had “significant trauma to her upper body,” the news release states.

The suspect’s grandmother was pronounced dead at the scene, and the suspect’s mother was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition, officials said.

A possible weapon was recovered at the location but authorities did not specify what it was.

Authorities also didn’t disclose a motive.

Flores was taken to the sheriff’s Palmdale Station where he was booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

Flores’ first court appearance is slated for 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the Antelope Valley Municipal Court, according to online Sheriff’s inmate records.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

UPDATED 3.31.17: The deceased has been identified as Maria Valenzuela, 82, of Palmdale, according to coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

27 comments for "Grandmother killed, mother injured in Palmdale double-stabbing [updated]"

  1. My family and their family grew up together we go back a long ways, we are all in tremendous shock, beautiful, loving, fun family as I remember all of them. This is very sad and tragic and very hard to absorb, I always kept in close contact with grandma we texted every day. We shared home remedies, she was always sharing pictures of her kids and the rest of the little ones she had just told me, of two celebrations that took place a few days before her death and she was worried that she had gain 2 pounds. She was so happy that one of the celebration she had the family got a Mariachi band to sing for her so I am assuming it must of been her birthday. My parents were God Parents to two of her daughters, at this moment they are unconsolable, and wishing that they lived closer to be with the family. Tillita Maria you will always be in our hearts for it was a life long journey of having your sweetness, thank you so much for your Love, your precious spirit that could always uplift mine with your wisdom and your
    charisma we will miss you, but have no doubt that we will be together again. Hasta pronto mi Linda Tillita.
    For her Dear family our Love and Prayers are with ALL of you, may our Dear Heavenly Father give you the strength
    that you need at this moment and in the days ahead. OUR LOVE AND OUR PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOU IN THIS MOMENT AND ALWAYS.

    Rodriguez Family

  2. I knew ricky from work. He was always respectful to others. I knew he had problems but I didn’t know how bad. I somewhat blame the place that we worked. Very stressful and negative environment.

  3. May you rest un peace my dear Maria, I will miss ypur love, your kindness and ypur wonderful advice. There are so many roses in my albums on FB because you said to me to put roses and I did and even though many people liked them and admired them they were posted because of you. I enjoyed so much sending you poems and exchanging ideas about Spanish writers. I will miss you and I wish I wouldn’t have gotten sick in December and cancelled our lunch date, O wish we could have had that time but I know that you are now in a better place and will be with others that you live that have gone before you. Your texts messages of encouragement and live and forgiveness helped me along with another very good friend to save my marriage and you were a great example. I’m going to miss ypu so much dear friend. I love you. Till we meet again.

  4. Mrs Green, I wonder if this was the same man that was once called Ricky Cea? I think I heard that after the divorce of his parents, his name was changed to Flores? If this is the same guy, then I knew him and his family well. He was my son’s Kindergarten and first grade best friend when they both went to AV Christian School. We moved to Northridge after living in Palmdale for several years and so we didn’t hear from them anymore. Ricky was a good and quiet kid. And his parents are good people. This is a very sad story. My prayers go out to them. They really do need our prayers. My son is devastated, and so am I. He used to sleep over our house. It’s so terrible this has happened.

  5. IF THIS MAN WAS ON DRUG’S, WE SHOULD FIND OUT WHO THE DRUG DEALER IS, AND PUT HIM IN JAIL FOR MURDER TOO. BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY GOT PAID OR FORCED TO GET THIS MAN ON DRUG’S FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER… OR TRY AND CAUSE THE GUY TO OVERDOSE ON DRUG’S, BUT INSTEAD HE KILLED HIS OWN GRANDMOTHER.

    THEIR SHOULD BE A LAW THAT IF A PERSON COMMITS A MURDER WHILE ON DRUGS, THE PERSON GIVING HIM THE DRUGS SHOULD GO TO JAIL TOO, BECAUSE I’ VE HEARD OF PEOPLE PAYING OTHERS TO GET THEM ON DRUG’S.

    LOOK WHERE THE DOCTOR’S ARE THAT PRESCRIBED MEDICATION THAT RESULTED IN DEATHS. THEIR IN JAIL, SO DRUG DEALERS SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR MURDER TOO, IF THE PERSON THEIR SUPPLYING DRUG’S TO KILLS SOMEONE. IT’S NOT RIGHT THIS GUY COULD HAVE BEEN SET-UP, TARGETED BY GANGSTERS, THUGS, HITMAN, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

    MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.

  6. Me and my husband new Ricky he was a good guy just depressed with bad anxiety and he just found out he lost his father and lost his job but he was trying to get his life back on track but I guess it was to late some type of resources should be placed in the world to help ppl with hardship I believe it could save lives my prayers are with this family so sad and palmdale isn’t bad it just doesn’t have enough to do due not many jobs or recreation that’s close to ppls home sad new..

    • What planet are you on? There are many, many non-profit and for profit organizations that provide assistance in many ways. And there are many religious organizations and churchrs that also provide help.

  7. Is this the Weird guy that is always walking around the neighborhood without a shirt or Shoes asking for cigarettes? I live right around the block from where this happened and I’m wondering if it’s the same guy that is always walking around here.

    • No that’s has to be someone different I don’t even think even smoke cigarettes he always appeared to be really cool at times had a skateboard with him but always was really polite

      • Oh OK I was wondering if it was him haven’t seen him in a while. What a tragedy To this family RIP to the grandmother

  8. What a sad day such a beautiful woman and beautiful daughter such a beautiful family. If I could only said the words to make a difference two weeks before when I spoke to this young man Ricky. We have to start talking to the young people and asking them how is your day how are you feeling. If I just could have said something that would have made a difference. So sorry so sorry

  9. Tim Scott with all the crap you blow out your A** i’m sure brother appreciates your keeping a state line between you. Your always so negative

    • Well, I dunno if he appreciates it, but he’s cooperative and that’s all i really care about.

      • He murdered his grandmother he’s cooperative ….. I hope he gets raped a thousand times in jail screw his depression! The misery he must have put that old woman frail through! Check his blood he’s probably an addict! I’m sick of reading of all these spoiled punks killing and mostly for money for opiods!! Tim what happened to you who hurt you so badly? My father was a cop he was tough kicked my butt more than once, but I love him for kicking my butt….. I never killed I love him and every hard ass cop out there….. Good job boys and girls for catching another criminal! I lick your badge in gratitude God bless you all.

        • Honestly I hope you get gang raped for being such a [removed] person! Nobody care is your sick of reading these stories, if you are, then stop [removed] reading them!! Stop being such a prick about tragedy that happens to other people’s families and not your own. Don’t go trash talking them, when you probably don’t even know the family or the entire story. So please..Stop and take your [removed] somewhere else! Cause no one needs it!!!

  10. I really don’t know what to say. Get out of palm dale, educate yourself, expect more from your surrounding. Too many stories of horrible things happenening in the semi lawless east palmdale dessert. I know palmdale isnt a terrible place but its full of troubled people where they feel the become forgotten in LA’s outskirts. To ricky and those affected…. Make the best of your situation, life is too short.

  11. Wow! I am shocked. I will always remember her as one of the sweetest people. She always had a smile.

    Lucy: please realize you and your entire family are in my prayers. Michael

  13. Very sad. This is my neighborhood, I live within a few doors of this residence. The lady was always sweet. She took pride in her home and was always busy around her yard. The neighborhood is usually quiet. I have lived there about 9 years with no problems. I just don’t understand why this kind of thing happens….to Grandma. Really?

    • Disgusting, yes, but offhand I don’t see anything better about murdering people who aren’t your own blood. It’s a big world…if you can’t stand your parents/siblings/whatever, find a different part of the world to hang around in. I keep a state line between me and my brother at all times…it’s not that hard.