11/10/2009
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (KABC) -- A Charter company worker was inside a Victorville home on Monday when, according to witnesses, he was attacked and killed by a man with a hammer.
Police said a Charter Cable installer was inside a home in the 15200 block of San Jose Drive when he was attacked at about 4:30 p.m. They believe the victim, identified as 24-year-old cable worker Trevor Neiman, and the suspect got into an altercation, but police are unsure what the altercation was about.
The suspect fled the scene, but soon had a change of heart a couple hours later.
"He had left the scene, went to another location, contacted Sheriff's dispatch and was taken into custody without incident," said Sgt. Doug Hubbard, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Neiman was a U.S. Marine who had just returned from his third tour of duty in Iraq before getting a job at Charter Cable. He married three months ago and had just bought a house.
The Sheriff's Department identified the suspect as 45-year-old Johnny Acosta. Neighbors said the family had only moved into the neighborhood on Sunday.
"Just all of a sudden, cops came from everywhere," said neighbor Frank Murillo.
Police said Acosta was a family member who was visiting. However, the owner of the home called Eyewitness News and said he did not know the suspect, calling him an unknown assailant who entered the home. Police disputed the owner's statements.
The owner said his two children and a baby sitter were at home during the attack, and they were not harmed.
