Trio charged with murder in Iron Triangle shooting

RICHMOND, Calif.

Richmond residents Thongsay Vilayngeun, 33, Boonsy Manivan, 31, and 25-year-old Brittany Bernard were arrested on Wednesday for the killing of 43-year-old Rodel Sarmiento on May 4, police said.

Sarmiento was driving on Chanslor Avenue near 18th Street around 7:10 a.m. that day when someone shot him, according to police.

Officers arrived at the scene to find his vehicle crashed into a building and Sarmiento in the driver's seat with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Richmond police Sgt. Nicole Abetkov said investigators believe the suspects robbed and shot Sarmiento after he left the San Pablo Lytton Casino.

The casino is about three miles from where the shooting occurred.

A group of investigators led by Richmond police Detective Laquana Caston worked tirelessly to identify the suspects, and the evidence gathered ultimately led to the suspects' arrest, Abetkov said.

Contra Costa County prosecutors charged all three with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and robbery, according to the district attorney's office.

All three were taken to county jail in Martinez.

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