Lake Los Angeles Man Held in Killing of 3 Family Members : Crime: Oliver Vann allegedly shot his wife and her son and daughter-in-law to death Friday night.

A 43-year-old Lake Los Angeles man who allegedly shot to death his wife, stepson and daughter-in-law was arrested Saturday and held on charges of murder, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.

Oliver Leroy Vann was being held without bail at the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station, Deputy John Ashley said.

His wife, Marie Antoinette Vann, 52, her son Ronald Johnson, 30, and his wife, Muriel Johnson, 40, died of gunshot wounds. The shootings occurred at the family’s house in the 41000 block of 168th Street East shortly after 9 p.m. Friday, Ashley said.

The gunman’s three step-grandchildren, ages 5, 9 and 11, were asleep in the house when the incident occurred.

“They heard the shooting and ran from the house to a neighbor” who phoned authorities, Ashley said. The frightened children said Vann had ordered them out of the house when the shooting started, neighbors said Saturday.

When deputies arrived, they discovered the bodies of Marie Vann and Muriel Johnson inside the house, Ashley said. The body of Ronald Johnson was found outside. The three were pronounced dead at the scene.

The family had lived in Lake Los Angeles, a semi-rural community about 15 miles northeast of Palmdale, for about three years. Muriel Vann was a nurse, neighbors said. Oliver Vann had been despondent over financial problems apparently after being laid off from his job, neighbors said.

The shootings came during an argument and Oliver Vann “concluded the argument by shooting the victims,” Ashley said. The nature of the dispute is not known, he said.

After the shooting Oliver Vann fled the area in a light blue Mercedes-Benz but was arrested about 2 a.m. Saturday after he became involved in a traffic accident with a big-rig truck while driving through Cajon Pass on Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County, Ashley said.

A California Highway Patrol officer “recognized the Mercedes as that being involved in the Lake Los Angeles murders,” and arrested the driver without incident, Ashley said.

The weapon used in the slayings had not been found, but officials said it might have been a .22-caliber rifle or handgun.

Neighbors in the quiet community said they had not been aware of violence at the house before.

One neighbor recalled hearing loud arguments at the home on occasion but described the outbursts as “nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Basically he appeared to be a relatively friendly person,” David Moss, who lives across the street, said of Oliver Vann. “I wouldn’t have guessed that he would have done something like this.”

“It’s tragic,” said Robert Simms, whose children played with Vann’s step-grandchildren. “They were extremely good neighbors . . . real quiet. It’s been bizarre.”

Times staff writer John Chandler contributed to this story.