| For Immediate Release Case #11CF1563 June 23, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CHARGED WITH SECOND MURDER AFTER VICTIM DIES IN HOSPITAL SIX DAYS AFTER STABBING IN LAKE FOREST PARKING LOT FIGHT
*Defendant also charged with murdering another victim, who died shortly after being stabbed
SANTA ANA – An amended criminal complaint was filed this morning against a man for murder two men by stabbing both victims during a fight in a Lake Forest parking lot. The first victim died shortly after the attack and the second died yesterday, June 16, 2011, after spending six days in critical condition. Justin Alvin Masao Tombleson, 28, Lake Forest, is now charged with two felony counts of murder and sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon, causing great bodily injury, and a prior strike conviction for assault causing great bodily injury in 2005. If convicted, Tombleson faces a maximum sentence ranging from 15 years to life up to 70 years to life in state prison if convicted. He was arraigned this morning and is being held on $1 million bail. Tombleson faces a pre-trial hearing June 27, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. on June 11, 2011, 26-year-old Elvis Kechechian was at a Mexican restaurant in Lake Forest with friend 32-year-old Hossain Saidian, Kechechian’s brother, and another friend.
Kechechian’s brother became involved in a verbal altercation and spit on a woman. A verbal argument escalated between the victims’ group of friends and the woman’s friends and they were subsequently asked by the owner to leave the restaurant. The woman called her boyfriend, Tombleson, who was already on his way.
Upon arriving, Tombleson is accused of confronting the victims in the parking lot near the victims’ car. A physical fight broke out between the defendant’s and victims’ groups and Tombleson is accused of pulling a knife from his pocket.
Tombleson is accused of stabbing Kechechian one time in the chest, perforating his heart. He is accused of stabbing Saidian in the chest and arm. Both victims were transported to the hospital and Kechechian was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. Saidian remained in critical condition until June 16, 2011, when he died in the hospital.
The defendant is accused of fleeing the scene with his friends. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) responded to the scene and is investigating this case. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8492 or the OCSD Homicide Bureau at (714) 647-7055.