2 face murder charges after Victorville soccer brawl
A 17-year-old boy and his uncle are facing murder charges after a man they fought with at a soccer game in Victorville died hours later in his sleep, officials announced this week.
The boy, whose name wasn’t released because he is a minor, and his uncle, Leobardo Garcia, 36, were arrested on Nov. 21 in Northern California, a month after the violent brawl, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities said the victim, Victor Parades, 45, and his brother, had been watching the Oct. 21 game at the Victorville Fairgrounds, but something happened during the match that ignited a feud.
Sheriff’s investigators declined to release details about what led to the fight.
After the game ended, Garcia and the boy confronted Parades and his brother.
That’s when a brawl broke out.
As Garcia and the teen boy assaulted the siblings, the sheriff’s department said, the game referee stepped in and stopped the fight.
Parades was left battered and bruised, but the men went their separate ways and headed home.
The next morning, deputies received a medical aid call at Parades’ home.
Parades was found dead in his bed, sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said.
The circumstances surrounding Parades’ death didn’t come to light until an autopsy revealed that he had died of blunt force trauma as a result of the beating, sheriff’s officials said.
Weeks later, San Bernardino investigators tracked down Garcia and the boy in Kings County, Calif., and took them into custody.
Garcia has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday for a hearing.
For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
