Germarcus David Charged With Murder Of His 4 Young Children, Their Grandmother Ericka England
LANCASTER (CBSLA) — A Lancaster man has been charged with the murders of his four young children and their grandmother, who were identified by authorities Tuesday.
Ericka England, 51; Namyiah David, her 11-year-old granddaughter, 7-year-old Germarcus David Jr.; 2-year-old Kaden David; and 1-year-old Noah David were each shot in the upper body, according to sheriff's spokesman Deputy Tony Moore.
England worked as a correctional officer for the California Department Of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 1997. In a statement, CDCR spokeswoman Dana Simas said the department was deeply saddened by this tragic event.
"Officer England spent many honorable years serving the people of California and will be greatly missed," Simas said.
The children's father and England's son-in-law, 29-year-old Germarcus Lamar David, was arrested Monday after he walked into the sheriff's Lancaster station. He was charged Monday with five counts of murder and three counts of assault on a child causing death.
"No family should endure this type of tragedy, especially when the alleged perpetrator was responsible for their protection," LA County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
David is being held on $2 million bail and was scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday, but his arraignment was postponed to Wednesday.
The shootings were reported at about 10:30 Sunday night in the 3500 block of Garnet Lane.
Neighbors say the grisly scene was discovered by the children's mother, who was heard screaming and crying. Authorities have not given any details about a possible motive for the murders.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)