Phelan Man Murdered While Training for Work in Oceanside

OCEANSIDE – A 30-year-old Oceanside man pleaded not guilty to the stabbing murder of a Phelan man who was staying in a construction area while learning plumbing skills.

Mikhail Schmidt, a former marine is accused of following Jacob Laughlin Bravo, 37, where he was staying in a trailer at the construction site on Windward Way in Oceanside. While Bravo was sleeping, authorities said that he was stabbed several times in the back and neck.

Wrightwood Firefighters Rescue Stranded Individuals in Backcountry Snowstorms

Two Men Arrested for Attempting to Steal Hundreds of Gallons of Gas

Bravo’s body was discovered on Thursday, March 9, 2017, in a pool of blood inside of the trailer. Schmidt was arrested the evening after the discovery just blocks away from the grisly murder scene, in the 900 block of The Strand following a tip to authorities.

On Monday, March 13, 2017, the Schmidt, who the District Attorney said was not known to Bravo pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Bail for Schmidt was set at $3 million due after the District Attorney advised that he was a potential flight risk. Authorities have not released any potential motive leading to the stabbing.

Mikhail Schmidt, who served as a marine for 8 years leaving as a staff sergeant in 2013 now faces 26 years to life in prison if convicted as charged. The family of Bravo has set up a Go Fund Me account with a goal of $8,000 to go towards his funeral expenses. The account has already reached $7500 with the help of family and friends of Bravo.

In the Go Fund Me Account, Katie Bravo, the younger sister of Jacob Bravo said that Jacob had a passion for snowboarding. The memorial services for Jacob Laughlin Bravo will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at Lions camp at Teresita Pines located at 22801 Big Pines Highway, in Valyermo, California (just northwest of Wrightwood). The services are open to family and friends of Jacob.