Suspect in Twentynine Palms Lupine Avenue shooting charged with murder and kidnapping

The suspect accused of shooting two people and kidnapping a third will be arraigned Wednesday on charges of murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says that on Thursday (June 18) at around 8:30 p.m., Bristen Banales, a 30 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, shot two people in the area of Lupine Avenue in Twentynine Palms.

A witness told Z107.7 that Banales dropped the gun and fled into the open desert. The property owner said that one victim called 911 and was flown to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment for gunshot wounds. The Sheriff’s Department says he is expected to survive.

The following day (June 19) at around 12:49 p.m., another victim called 911. The victim told deputies he had been kidnapped by Banales, but managed to escape. As part of their investigation, the Sheriff’s Department found a third victim who they say had been shot been by Banales. This victim was pronounced dead at the scene from suspect gunshot wounds. He was identified as Robert Murphy, a 62 year-old resident of Twentynine Palms.

Banales was quickly located in the 6300 block of Cahuilla Avenue and taken into custody.

Banales is set to be arraigned in San Bernardino County Superior Court on five felony charges including murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping,and shooting at an inhabited dwelling. He is facing twelve enhancements for using a firearm.