A deranged California dad allegedly beat and stabbed two of his young children to death in a vicious attack that Los Angeles County prosecutors called “an astonishing act of brutality.”
Prospero Serna, 38, is facing murder and assault charges for attacking all four of his children during a violent outburst at their home in Lancaster late Saturday night, prosecutors said in a release.
Two of the kids — identified by ABC-News as Ziasia Serna, 7, and Najila, 3 — were killed in the attack. The other two were found hiding in the house.
“We don’t know where exactly the attack occurred, but they were all found in one bedroom,” Lt. Daniel Vizcarra of the LA County Sheriff’s Department told the outlet.
“It’s extremely difficult,” Vizcarra said. “This is traumatizing for everybody who’s involved. All the deputies who responded, all the parties involved, the investigators. Everyone.”
Police responded to the scene shortly before midnight after the children’s frantic mother called 911 during the horrific attack — with Serna arrested a few blocks away after a violent scuffle with sheriff’s deputies.
“Two young lives were abruptly cut short in an astonishing act of brutality,” LA County District Attorney Gascón said in a statement released on Wednesday. “This is a profoundly heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken our community to its core.
“Our hearts ache for the innocent lives lost and those who will have to live the rest of their lives reliving a nightmare,” he added. “The loss of these young souls is a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Prosecutors said Serna is charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault on a child under eight years of age, and one count of child abuse.
He was arraigned and ordered held without bail pending a return to court.