Highland man, 27, arrested in stabbing death of stepfather

HIGHLAND, Calif. (KABC) -- A Highland man was arrested in connection to the stabbing death of his stepfather, sheriff's officials said.

San Bernardino County sheriff's investigators said they received a report of a stabbing in the 25900 block of Baseline Street around 11:50 p.m. Monday.

Responding deputies found a man, later identified as 58-year-old Juan Anthony Carreno, in his car, suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds.

Carreno was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

His stepson, 27-year-old Gabriel Alfred Lizarraga, was arrested on Tuesday without incident, sheriff's officials said. He was booked into the Central Detention Center on suspicion of murder and held without bail.

Area resident Thadnisha Russell said she witnessed the two men fighting.

"They just locked up and started fighting," Russell said. "We just seen the one that died stumbling, and when he was stumbling, the other one ran off."

As investigators combed the scene, Darlene Ramirez stopped by looking for answers. She is Carreno's sister-in-law.

"We're just trying to figure out ourselves what happened. No one deserves to get murdered like that," she said.

This isn't the first murder investigation at the apartment complex.

This is the same apartment complex where a man was shot to death and his wife was wounded last month. Residents say they've had enough.

"I'm moving today. That's my reaction," Russell said.

Area resident Terry Wall is also fed up. She says she can't leave her apartment after dark.

"This is the capital of 187 you know," she said.

Lizarraga was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.