Man suspected of having a fungus infection arrested for murder after unprovoked attack on High Desert family

An Ontario man was arrested on suspicion of murder after he unprovokedly attacked a family near Twentynine Palms while under the influence of mushrooms, authorities said Wednesday.

The incident was first reported just before 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 3300 block of Bluegrass Avenue in Desert Heights, an unincorporated area of ​​the Morongo Basin.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, officers responded and arrested the suspect. They then found the victim, 63-year-old Hadgu Abraham, outside the residence with blunt force injuries to the head. Abraham was later pronounced dead.

Abraham's 62-year-old wife and 31-year-old son were also injured in the attack.

Authorities said Abraham's wife suffered head injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Her son suffered injuries to his head, upper body and lower body. He was also treated at a nearby hospital.

A bat was found at the crime scene.

Investigators determined that the suspect and his friend had rented a short-term apartment near the crime scene. The suspect was believed to be under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms and exhibited erratic behavior.

The suspect entered Abraham's property and attempted to steal their vehicle. When they confronted him, it appeared the suspect attacked the family for no reason, according to authorities.

The suspect is charged with murder and attempted murder. He is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday, according to jail records.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Homicide Detective Francisco Demara at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit wetip.com.