Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Man Arrested in Palmdale Slaying

Authorities have made one arrest in the shooting death of a 35-year-old man who was gunned down in a vacant lot in Palmdale, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s spokesman said Tuesday.

David Van Velson, 42, of Arroyo Grande was booked on suspicion of murder late Monday and is being held at the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station without bail, Deputy Benita Hinojos said.

The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of his relatives, Hinojos said.

Van Velson, who matches the description of a man seen in the field at the time of the killing, was arrested by deputies while he was sitting in a car several miles away from the scene of the slaying, Hinojos said.

A 32-year-old woman who was also in the car was questioned and released, Hinojos said.

Van Velson had had an argument with the victim before the shooting, Hinojos said.

The victim was found Monday about 4:23 p.m. in a lot near the corner of Avenue R and 11th Street East with a bullet wound to the upper torso.

Van Velson is being held without bail at the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station, Hinojos said.