Grandson accused of killing woman in Upland

A woman who died after an attack at an Upland home was bludgeoned by her grandson, who then set the home on fire and fled, police said.

He was arrested shortly after the killing in nearby Pomona on Tuesday night, police said.

Linda Moreno, 60, was found on the steps of the burning home Tuesday evening when police responded to reports of a possible stabbing at a house in the 400 block of Alpine Street. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died.

Upland Police Capt. Ken Bonson said Moreno suffered “blunt force trauma injuries,” allegedly at the hands of her grandson Christopher Moreno, who lives at the home. He is the only suspect and is also believed to have set the home on fire.

When officers went to help the woman, they saw flames inside. The structure quickly became fully engulfed.

Michael Hall, 22, a neighbor, said Christopher Moreno lived at the home and his grandmother was visiting at the time of the attack. “His relatives found him with the grandmother in his arms,” Hall said.

Hall said he heard another grandson yelling, “My brother’s killed my grandma.” He said relatives were sobbing after the attack and had brought the woman outside after the man allegedly started the fire. Hall said Christopher Moreno had recently been released from a mental health facility.

Detectives are investigating Christopher Moreno’s mental health history, Bonson said.

He was booked on suspicion of murder and arson causing bodily injury. Anyone with information should call the Upland Police Department at (909) 946-7624.

richard.winton@latimes.com