San Bernardino, CA
Friday, police announced an arrest in the triple homicide that occurred outside the Superior Liquor Store on Del Rosa Avenue in San Bernardino on Friday, July 8th that left three people dead.
The victims included 25-year-old Samathy Mahan; his 26-year-old friend, Travon Lamar Williams; and Williams’ 9-year-old son, also Travon Williams. In an ironic twist of fate, the suspect in the case is also named, Trayvon.
According to police officials, 26-year-old Trayvon Eshawn Brown of Rialto allegedly waited outside the liquor store for Mahan, Williams and his son to exit, ambushed them and shot them to death.
When first responders arrived, one of the men was pronounced dead on the scene. The other man and the younger Williams were transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda for treatment. They were pronounced dead later that night.
Police expressed their belief Mahan was probably the intended target as he and Brown had reportedly been involved in a previous conflict. Brown, who purportedly has a long criminal history, was on parole when the shooting occurred.
Williams, on the other hand, had no criminal background and no gang affiliation. According to Superior Liquor Store Manager Saif Baji, Williams and his son frequented the store almost daily—sadly, it appears on the night of the incident, Williams and his son were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was not the first such tragedy to befall the Williams family—nearly ten years ago, Williams’ twin brother, fell victim to another senseless crime when he was shot and killed for his cellphone.
Because Brown was on probation when the murders occurred he is not eligible for parole. To date, Brown has refused to give a statement and/or cooperate with the investigation.