2 Found Slain at Remote Shooting Range in Forest
The bodies of two men who were shot to death after going to a remote shooting range in the Angeles National Forest were discovered by an off-duty police officer who went to the spot for target practice, authorities said Thursday.
Sheriff’s deputies said the shootings were not accidental and a murder investigation is proceeding. No arrests have been made and there are no suspects.
The victims were identified as Ernesto Banegas Jr., 30, of Arcadia, and Clayton Blasingame, 20, of Los Angeles.
Their bodies were found about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Middle Shooting Range in Upper Big Tujunga Canyon, northeast of Pasadena, Sgt. Ernie Roop said.
A Los Angeles police officer, whose name was not released, made the discovery at the untended shooting range in a remote area west of the Angeles Forest Highway, Roop said.
“He was off-duty and had gone to the range to shoot,” Roop said. “Apparently, the victims were at the range for the same purpose and it is unknown what happened.”
One of the victims had been shot once in the chest and the other had multiple bullet wounds, deputies said.
It was unclear how long they had been dead, said coroner’s spokesman Scott Carrier.
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.
