Suspect arraigned on murder, burglary charges in Lodi triple homicide
LODI — The suspect in a triple homicide in Lodi that happened in June made his first appearance in San Joaquin County court on Tuesday.
During the evening of June 8, 2024, concerned family members requested a welfare check after they were unable to reach three relatives for more than a week, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies arrived at the home on East Mettler Road and found the three individuals dead from gunshot wounds. The San Joaquin County Coroner's Office has identified the three people who died as Lodi residents Kim Huynh, 69, Joe Pena, 60, and Alfred Nguyen, 45.
Investigators quickly located evidence that pointed to a suspect, and the decision was made not to release any information to the public that could jeopardize the search for that suspect, the sheriff's office said.
On September 14, investigators located and arrested Steven Guerrero, Jr., 25. Guerrero was arraigned Tuesday on three charges of murder, a burglary charge and a charge of being a felon in possession of a gun.
"This wasn't a random crime," San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said outside the courthouse. "It was targeted. It was calculated. It was vicious."
During a press conference on Monday, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said the victims and Guerrero knew each other.
Freitas said the five felonies Guerrero faces are enough to go after the death penalty.
"It is one of the options," he said. "We will be reviewing the evidence and the recommendation will be made to me, and we will decide whether to pursue the death penalty."
Guerrero has a 2017 conviction of assault with a deadly weapon by a prisoner, and criminal street gang activity.
