1 Man Killed, Another Shot And Kidnapped, In Twentynine Palms: Sheriff's Department

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA — A man suspected in a kidnapping and two shootings — one of them fatal — in Twentynine Palms, was arrested Friday following a brief search by sheriff's deputies, authorities said.

Bristen Banales, 30, of Twentynine Palms, was booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping. He is being held without bail.

The incident began at 8:32 p.m. Thursday, June 18, when San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at a home in the 6300 block of Lupine Avenue in Twentynine Palms.

Deputies found a man suffering from a gunshot wound; the suspect had already fled the area.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive, according to the sheriff's department. His identity was not released.

The following day, at about 12:49 p.m., deputies went to a nearby residence in the 6100 block of Lupine Avenue regarding a possible kidnapping.

What investigators uncovered was 62-year-old Robert Murphy. He had been shot once and was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement officials determined that Banales had shot both men and kidnapped the surviving victim.

The Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division Homicide Detail took over the case and obtained an arrest warrant for Banales. He was located and arrested a short time later.

A possible motive for the violence was not disclosed and it's unclear what, if any, Banales' relationship was with the victims.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the case to contact Detective L. Kerr or Sergeant N. Clark with the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be made by calling or texting "REPORT" to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Information can be provided online at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.