A horrific massacre took place in Modesto, California, on May 28, claiming the lives of three members of the same family. The suspect, 28-year-old Joaquin Escoto, has been arrested following the knife attack on those living in the same home.

Event Details

Police were called to the scene around 9 a.m. on May 28. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that Fabiola Gonzalez-Nunez, 23, and her mother, Maria Silvia Nunez-Villalobos, 54, had been killed by multiple stab wounds.

Even more tragically, Fabiola’s two-week-old son, Mateo Gonzalez, was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. A three-year-old child was also found at the scene, taken to the hospital for evaluation, and has since been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

The Manhunt and Arrest

Upon learning that the suspect might still be in the area, the Modesto Police Department mobilized specialized units, including a SWAT team, a hostage negotiation team, and an investigations division. For safety, a nearby school was placed on lockdown, and students and staff were later moved to a secure location to reunite with their families.

Following a search, police located and arrested Escoto while he was hiding inside a nearby home.

Legal Information

Initial investigations reveal that Escoto lived in the home with the victims and is believed to be the biological father of both children. While he was in a relationship with the victim, Fabiola Gonzalez-Nunez, authorities stated that the exact nature of their relationship is still under investigation.

Regarding his background, Escoto is a Mexican national who had previously been deported from the U.S. three times. The suspect is currently being held at the Stanislaus County Jail without bail. He faces three counts of murder, special circumstance enhancements, use of a deadly weapon, and an outstanding warrant tied to a prior DUI case. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Currently, relatives of the victims have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs and counseling services, with donations already exceeding $36,000.