Six men were found shot to death in a remote part of the Mojave Desert near Adelanto, California, after deputies used cellphone data to locate a 911 caller who reported being shot. On January 23, 2024, 45-year-old Jose Ruelas-Calderon of El Mirage was identified among the victims discovered near Lessing Avenue and Shadow Mountain Road; a sixth victim was found the following morning. Investigators reported all six victims suffered gunshot wounds and four showed signs of severe burning. Authorities said the killings were connected to a dispute over illegal marijuana operations.

The other identified victims were 34-year-old Baldemar Mondragon-Albarran of Adelanto, 22-year-old Franklin Noel Bonilla of Hesperia, 25-year-old Kevin Dariel Bonilla of Hesperia, 47-year-old Narcisco Sandoval, and 41-year-old Adrian Ochoa-Salgado. The investigation into the circumstances of these deaths remains ongoing.

If anyone has information about activity in that area or knew any of the victims, please come forward to assist the ongoing inquiries.