A 33-year-old man who allegedly stabbed his three young sons inside an SUV in South Los Angeles on Thursday has been charged with three counts of murder.
The murder charges filed against Luiz Fuentes on Tuesday include the special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders, making him eligible for a possible death sentence, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek death.
The boys were identified as Luis Alfanso Fuentes, 10, Juan Daniel Fuentes, 9, and Alexander Fuentes, 8.
Police responded around 7 a.m. to an SUV parked in the 300 block of East 32nd Street on a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in South Los Angeles. The three boys were found dead in the back seat, while the father was found bloodied and suffering from stab wounds, police said.
"It's a pain that I can't describe," aunt Xiomara Mena said. "They were happy. They were kids, normal kids, happy kids."
The father, who is accused of killing them, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said. It was unclear if he had an attorney, according to a spokeswoman for the DA's office. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
A knife was recovered at the scene.
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"The biological mother of the children we believe to be deceased. We believe there is a stepmother and she is safe," LA Police Chief Charlie Beck said. "These are incidents that scar not only a community but the first responders who have to handle them. It is a sad day in Los Angeles."
The Rev. Rudy Cruz said the family visited an Aug. 29 block party where community members distributed backpacks and other items.
"They were a very sweet family," Cruz said. "It's really difficult. All we can do is offer hope and love and prayers. I believe he lost his way, he lost hope."
Residents in South Los Angeles held a memorial Wednesday night for the slain brothers at 32nd Street near the scene where they were found dead. Family members said they were shocked to learn from police that the father allegedly killed his sons.
"He loved his kids and it's hard for me to see him do something like this. It's unbelievable. I don't know what drove him to do something like this," said Rene Chanquin, the father's cousin.
