James Lara, aged 53, tragically lost his life on August 30, 2020, in a shooting incident at San Gorgonio Memorial Park in Banning, California. The incident occurred during a graveside memorial service, where Lara, along with two other victims, Theresa Sanchez and Felicia McCafferty, were shot. The shooting resulted in a triple homicide investigation by the Banning Police Department. Initially, Lara survived the attack but succumbed to his injuries on September 10, 2020.
The victims were attending a service for Evangelina Angelica Ysiano, Sanchez's daughter, who had been murdered in 2018.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was the result of a violent altercation involving the Armendariz brothers, William and Christopher, who attacked Lara during the service. Witnesses reported that the brothers began kicking and punching Lara, prompting Sanchez and McCafferty to intervene. During the scuffle, Christopher Armendariz produced a handgun, which was then taken by William Armendariz, who proceeded to shoot all three victims in the head. The Armendariz brothers, along with their accomplice Erica Lomas, fled the scene in a vehicle driven by their mother, Melissa Fay Armendariz.
Law enforcement authorities quickly identified and apprehended the suspects. William Armendariz was charged with murder, while Christopher Armendariz, Melissa Armendariz, and Erica Lomas were charged as accessories to the crime. The suspects were arrested out of state and awaited extradition to California for court proceedings. Melissa Armendariz was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where she remained held on $500,000 bail. The case drew significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the involvement of multiple family members in the attack.
The tragic deaths of James Lara, Theresa Sanchez, and Felicia McCafferty highlighted the devastating impact of violence on the community of Banning. The investigation and subsequent arrests underscored the commitment of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their families. The case remains a poignant reminder of the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such senseless acts of violence.
