Joshua Lee Sharp, 36, is charged with murder and elder abuse in connection with the death of his mother, 69-year-old Dhina Sharp. He is also charged with assaulting Carlos Galeano with a deadly weapon, and he is charged with felony animal cruelty for “maliciously and intentionally [causing] unnecessary cruelty and suffering to Buddy, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, according to court records.
The charges stem from an incident that was reported around 6:13 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at a home on the 4300 block of Desert Aire Avenue in Palmdale. Sheriff’s officials have released few details on the circumstances surrounding the incident, but a news release on April 30 stated: “Palmdale Station deputies responded… regarding a family disturbance call. Upon arrival, they contacted a male Hispanic, 74 years old, who stated his stepson, male Hispanic 36 years old, assaulted him and the victim, a female Hispanic 69 years old, inside the residence.”
“Deputies made entry into the location and observed the female Hispanic victim [later identified as Dhina Sharp] unresponsive. The suspect [later identified as Joshua Sharp] then barricaded himself in the garage of the residence,” according to the sheriff’s news release.
The sheriff’s department’s Special Enforcement Bureau [SWAT team] responded to the scene, assumed tactical command, and evacuated surrounding homes in the area. About five hours later, at 11:33 a.m., the sheriff’s department announced that the SWAT operation concluded with the suspect [Joshua Sharp] in custody.
Joshua Sharp was initially arrested on suspicion of being an “addict in possession of [a] firearm,” according to local arrest records. Murder and the other felony charges were filed against Joshua Sharp on Tuesday, May 3, according to court records.
The sheriff’s department did not disclose how Dhina Sharp died, but the LA County Coroner’s Office website states that Dhina Sharp died from “strangulation and multiple blunt force injuries.”
Joshua Sharp was scheduled to be arraigned on May 3, but his arraignment was postponed to May 19, according to court records. He remains jailed on more than $2 million bail.
Previous related story: Authorities ID woman found dead at Palmdale home where suspect was barricaded
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Juan Olmedo says
My son is addicted to his pain medication and is now homeless and not right in the head. I kicked him out so that we could sleep and get back to normal. We are doing better but he is doing worst. I wish there was a ministry, department of health, whomsoever that could pick my son off the streets and force him into rehabilitation.
LA Resident says
Having witnessed drugs deteriorate the mental health of my loved ones, I too wish we had something that could intervene. If it is any comfort, you’re not alone, Juan.
LA Resident says
It appears that he was legally insane at the time of the crime. Just another example of what can go horribly wrong when people with severe mental illness are not given the treatment needed. The endless cycle of jail to living on the street is a recipe for disaster.
FormerAVresBorn&raised says
I knew this family years ago, knew the defendant well and I’m in total shock. She was a sweet woman, and he never seemed the type to do something like this. I moved years ago, so certainly things changed. I’m in shock.
Vince says
There either must’ve been deep issues, or accidental drug /alcohol induced irrationality provoked move gone wrong….
Charged says
A drug addict with a firearm…
Luke says
He aborted his moms life.
That’s a sure trip to eternal damnation
Tim Scott says
Just for conversation’s sake…
Do you think murdering your own mother is somehow worse than murdering someone else’s?
America's Most Wacked Out Psychoanalyst says
I would think the guilt would be worse for him, than if he murdered a stranger. But I don’t understand humans, so who the hell knows?