ADELANTO, Ca. – No motive has been identified for a shooting that killed two and wounded one other, authorities said.
Victim: Pedro EspinozaVictim: Rosa MendozaMurder suspect: Gerson Sagastume
On Sunday, February 23, 2020, at around 8:28 a.m. deputies responded to the 11500 block of Chamberlaine Way in the City of Adelanto for the report of a shooting. When emergency medical personnel arrived, they found three people, two men and one woman, all who had been shot. Rosa Mendoza, 59, of Adelanto, was determined to be deceased at the scene. Pedro Espinoza, 59, of Adelanto, was rushed to the hospital along with a 33-year-old man, who only identified as a relative of Medoza and Espinoza’s/
Mendoza was pronounced dead at the hospital and the 33-year-old subject is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Other people were home at the time of the shooting but were no injured as a result of the shooting. Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives responded to conduct the investigation. Through the investigation, Gerson Sagastume, 27, of Adelanto, was identified as the suspect and a warrant was authored for his arrest. Sagastume was known to the couple. Deputies from the Specialized Enforcement Division (SED) responded to assist. Sagastume was eventually located hiding in an abandoned residence in Adelanto.
Sagastume was transported to the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station and interviewed by Homicide Investigators. At the conclusion of the interview, Sagastume was booked at the High Desert Detention Center for PC 187; Murder. The motive remains under investigation. No additional information is available for release at this time.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information, or anyone who witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Detective Nicholas Clark, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589\. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
