Derick Laija, 34 of Ontario, proved to be a less than gracious guest at a short-term rental in the Desert Heights district of Twentynine Palms where he was staying this week.

Members of the Abraham Family, who lived nearby at 3333 Bluegrass Avenue in the early evening of September 17 heard a commotion outside their home. When Hadgu Abraham, 63, his son, Asmerom Abraham, 31, and Hagdu’s wife, Freweiny Abraham, 61 emerged to see what was occurring, Laija, who had ingested psilocybin mushrooms, and was in the process of trying to steal the Abraham family vehicle, reacted violently, smashing all three in the head with a baseball bat. Asmerom also sustained blows to his torso and legs.

Hadgu Abraham succumbed on the spot. Asmerom and Freweiny, though injured, survived. One of them summoned the sheriff’s department at 7:49 p.m.

Arriving officers found Hadgu deceased. Ambulances were summoned and Freweimy was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of head injuries. Asmerom was sent to a nearby hospital for injuries to his head and upper and lower body.

They detained Laija at the Abraham residence and took him to the Morongo Station for further questioning.

The bat Laija used in the fatal and near fatal assaults was recovered on the Abraham property.

Deputies held Laija long enough for the psilocybin effects to diminish, obtaining multiple statement from him. At 6 a.m. on September 18, he was transferred to West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga where he was booked on one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is being held without bail.

The Abrahams had moved to the United States from Eritrea in 1996 and relocated to Twentynine Palms in 2004.

A bat was recovered at the scene, the Sheriff’s Department said.