EL MIRAGE, Calif. – The discovery of a gruesome scene in the remote Mojave Desert involving six people, likely shot to death, has left authorities puzzled about the circumstances and the identities of the victims. Authorities found the bodies near two vehicles, one of which was riddled with bullet holes.
The grim discovery was made around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday by deputies responding to a welfare check off Highway 395, a desolate area roughly 25 miles northwest of Victorville in San Bernardino County.
Initially, authorities indicated there were five victims, but during their investigation, a sixth body was discovered a few hundred feet away, said sheriff’s spokesperson Mara Rodriguez.
At a Wednesday morning news conference, Rodriguez stated that the sex and age of the victims had not been confirmed at that point. Additionally, the circumstances around the deaths were unconfirmed, however sources reported that the victims had been fatally shot.
The bodies of the victims were found close to the vehicles, surrounded by evidence markers and bullet casings, some even showing signs of being burned. It’s still unclear how long the bodies had been at the scene.
A retired FBI Special Agent, Bobby Chacon, emphasized the urgency of identifying the victims, as there could be additional people in danger. Chacon indicated that the level of violence in this case points to a broader criminal network, suggesting it could be gang-related or cartel-related.
Authorities have not disclosed if any suspects are being sought in connection with the deaths, but authorities remained on the scene Wednesday evening, determined to find answers in this mysterious and desolate location.