Out-Of-Towner Bludgeons Local Family After Ingesting Mushrooms: Cops

MORONGO BASIN, CA — A man who was staying in a short-term vacation rental in the Morongo Basin allegedly ingested psilocybin mushrooms before brutally attacking a local family with a bat, according to a report last week from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Derick Apolinar Laija, 34, of Ontario is being held at Rancho Cucamonga's West Valley Detention Center without bail after being charged with murder and attempted murder following the Sept. 17 attack on a husband and wife and their adult son.

According to the sheriff's department, Laija and his friend were staying at a short-term rental near the victims' home.

On the evening of the alleged attack, Laija was under the influence of mushrooms and was behaving erratically, the agency said.

Shortly before 8 p.m., Laija allegedly went over to the victims' home because he wanted to steal their vehicle.

Those victims, identified by the sheriff's department as Hadgu Abraham, 63, Freweiny Abraham, 61, and Asmerom Abraham, 31, lived in the 3300 block of Bluegrass Avenue.

When the family confronted Laija outside their residence, he allegedly attacked them. Hadgu sustained critical head injuries and died from the trauma. His wife, Freweiny, and son, Asmerom, were also injured in the attack.

"Freweiny sustained injuries to her head and was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment. Asmerom sustained injuries to his head, upper body, and lower body. He was also treated at a nearby hospital for his injuries," according to the sheriff's department.

"It appears Laija attacked the Abrahams unprovoked," the law enforcement agency said. "A bat was recovered from the scene."

Jail records show Laija is due to appear in court Monday.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Detective Francisco Demara with the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.