Samantha Nicole Lancaster, 29, was shot and killed at her Pomona home in the 800 block of West Orange Grove Avenue on April 10, 2021. Officers responded that morning to a report of a woman shot; Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel treated Lancaster at the scene but she died of her wounds. The shooting occurred during an altercation with her partner, Joseph Pinedo, who allegedly grabbed a handgun and during a struggle Lancaster was fatally shot. Their two young children were present and were placed in protective custody after the incident.

Joseph Pinedo, 30, also known as Joseph Delgado-Pinedo, was arrested and charged with murder and child endangerment, including two counts of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. He pleaded not guilty and was held in custody with bail set at $3.2 million. A protective order issued by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Douglas Sortino bars Pinedo from contact with the children. The defense raised a claim that the shooting began as a possible suicide attempt; the case was sent to a preliminary hearing to determine whether it will proceed to trial.

If anyone knew Samantha, her family, or has information about the events at the West Orange Grove Avenue home on April 10, 2021, please share what is known.