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Man facing two counts of murder in Sept. 19 double stabbing in Palmdale

by The AV Times Staff • September 30, 2020

Victims Manuel Tapia Blanco and Jorge Garcia Murillo.

PALMDALE – A 28-year-old man has been charged with stabbing two men to death during an argument in Palmdale on Sept. 19, authorities said.

Jesus Alfredo Abarca faces two counts of murder, with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and allegations of using a knife, in connection with the deaths of 48-year-old Manuel Tapia Blanco and 55-year-old Jorge Garcia Murillo, according to Ricardo Santiago of the  Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The fatal attack occurred around 10:54 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the 37300 block of Siderno Drive in Palmdale, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials have released few details on the circumstances that led up to the attack.

“Apparently there was an argument at the location, at which time one individual was stabbed. [A] family member tried to intervene, at which time they were also stabbed,” Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Westphal said shortly after the incident.

Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff’s officials later that day announced that a “person of interest” was detained, but did not disclose the name of the suspect. No further information was released.

Abarca was arrested at 4:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in connection with the double homicide, according to LASD inmate records. The case against him was filed on Sept. 22, and his arraignment was postponed to Oct. 15 at the Antelope Valley Courthouse in Lancaster, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Abarca is being held without bail.

Loved ones have set up online fundraisers for both victims. Manuel Tapia Blanco was a “caring father, son, grandfather, sibling, uncle and godfather” who “earned his American citizenship this year,” according to a gofundme page in his memory. To donate, visit:  https://gf.me/u/yz224t.

Jorge Garcia Murillo was a hardworking father of seven and a great husband to his wife of 30 years, according to a gofundme page in his memory. To donate, visit: https://gf.me/u/yzznqg.

Previous related story:

Two men stabbed to death in Palmdale, person of interest detained

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Home, Palmdale

3 comments for "Man facing two counts of murder in Sept. 19 double stabbing in Palmdale"

  1. Unincorported 93551 says

    October 1, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    Ironic this story is right below the article about the double stabbing during an argument in Palmdale.

  2. Double Stabbing says

    October 1, 2020 at 12:07 am

    I wonder what those three were arguing about.

    • X says

      October 7, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      for a car

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